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A look at some of the famed drug test stories over the years amid Mykhailo Mudryk’s provisional suspension/
Chelsea have been rocked by news that Mykhailo Mudryk has been provisionally suspended by the FA due to a positive doping test. The Blues have confirmed the news, refusing to comment further as they work with the player and the FA in an attempt to resolve the situation.
It’s understood Mudryk is still awaiting the results of his ‘B’ sample, which must confirm the findings of the ‘A’ sample for the suspension to be upheld. There is also chance for the winger to respond to the allegations, which is an ongoing process, in case there is an explanation for the presence of the substance in question.
As that process plays out, we have rounded up some of the famed drug test issues and suspension that have arisen in football.
Adrian Mutu
During his time at Chelsea, Mutu was banned due to a failed drug test. He arrived at the club in 2003 and departed in 2004 having scored six goals in 27 league games. The controversial striker wound up joining Livorno, and he had already fallen out with Jose Mourinho before the failed drug test which was confirmed in September 2004.
The ban was due to cocaine use, rather than a performance-enhancing drug, and the ban issued by the FA was seven months, lasting until May 2004.
Rio Ferdinand
Ferdinand was suspended back in September 2003, but not for failing a drugs test. The former Manchester United defender missed a drug test after leaving training to go shopping. He then tried to return to the training ground for testing but was told he was too late.
The former defender did pass the test, and he reportedly offered to pay for a hair follicle test to add further proof, but the FA maintained that it was his responsibility to attend the test, and his failure to report for it was treated like a failed test. He was banned for eight months and the ban was upheld upon appeal.
Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba was more recently banned for doping, but his ban was issued by the Italian authorities during his time with Juventus. In Pogba’s case, non-endogenous testosterone was found in his system. That is usually solid proof for a performance-enhancing drug, which usually come in the form of hormones such as testosterone.
Pogba was initially banned for four years, but upon appeal that suspension was reduced to 18 months. Though, it still cost him his job, with Pogba and Juventus reaching an agreement to part ways after the suspension was confirmed.
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