Chelsea star Mykhailo Mudryk could be given a lengthy ban after failing a drugs test - but the winger protests his innocence. On Tuesday morning, both Mudryk and the Blues released statements regarding the "adverse finding in a routine urine sample" with the Ukraine international denying any wrongdoing - it must be stressed.
"I can confirm that I have been notified that a sample I provided to The FA contained a banned substance," the 23-year-old wrote in a post on Instagram. "This has come as a complete shock as I have never knowingly used any banned substances or broken any rules, and am working closely with my team to investigate how this could have happened.
"I know that I have not done anything wrong and remain hopeful that I will be back on the pitch soon. I cannot say any more now, due to the confidentiality of this process, but I will as soon as I can." A club statement from Chelsea also arrived which saw them reveal some of the next steps.
"Chelsea Football Club can confirm the Football Association recently contacted our player - Mykhailo Mudryk - concerning an adverse finding in a routine urine test," it read on their website. "Both the club and Mykhailo fully support The FA's testing programme and all our players, including Mykhailo, are regularly tested.
"Mykhailo has confirmed categorically that he has never knowingly used any banned substances. Both Mykhailo and the club will now work with the relevant authorities to establish what has caused the adverse finding.
"The club will not be commenting any further."
The 23-year-old had been not been included in any of the last four matchday squads with illness provided as the reason for his absence but, following this development, he could be set for a lengthy spell as unavailable.
According to reports from The Athletic, Mudryk tested positive for Meldonium, following international duty with Ukraine in November. The drug was banned in early 2016. Another notable athlete to have tested positive for that performance enhancing drug, which helps with increased endurance, is tennis star Maria Sharapova.
The Russian was initially handed a two-year ban, but that was reduced down to 15 months following an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Given Mudryk's comments, an appeal against any suspension is likely.
No footballer has had that drug found in their system, but the likes of Andre Onana, Paul Pogba, Fred along with ex-Chelsea stars Adrian Mutu and Deco, have all received doping bans. Before joining Manchester United, Onana served a nine-month ban after his urine was found including diuretic Furosemide.
Pogba was initially handed a four-year ban, but that was reduced down to 18 months. The process for Mudryk will likely involve an appeal and suspension scenario but, even with other examples, it is not known whether he will be successful in trying to prove his innocence or how long he could miss with each individual case different.