Chelsea Football Club have confirmed that the Football Association (FA) recently contacted Mykhailo Mudryk regarding an 'adverse finding' in a routine urine test. The 23-year-old winger hasn't featured for Enzo Maresca's side since the end of last month when the Blues defeated Heidenheim in the UEFA Conference League.
Mudryk has strongly denied any wrongdoing in an official statement, claiming he's 'never knowingly used any banned substances or broken any rules'. The Ukraine international, who joined Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk almost two-years ago in a deal worth an initial £62m, could face a lengthy ban.
Paul Pogba was suspended by Italy's national anti-doping tribunal (Nado) in February after a random drug test found increased levels of testosterone in his system. The 31-year-old appealed the ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, who reduced the sanction from four years to 18 months, starting from September 2023.
While Pogba was under contract at Juventus until June 2026, the two parties mutually agreed to terminate his deal, making him a free agent. So, with that being said, football.london has rounded up everything you need to know about Mudryk and his current position at Chelsea.
Chelsea issue statement
A statement on the club's official website reads: "Chelsea Football Club can confirm the Football Association recently contacted our player Mykhailo Mudryk concerning an adverse finding in a routine urine test.
"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."
Mudryk denies any wrongdoing
In a statement on Instagram, Mudryk, who still has seven years left on his Chelsea contract, strongly denied any wrongdoing. He said: "I can confirm that I have been notified that a sample I provided to The FA contained a banned substance.
"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 the process, but I will as soon as I can."
The FA's anti-doping rules
Section six of The FA's Anti-Doping Regulations states: "Adverse Analytical Findings and the Use of Prohibited Substances and Prohibited Methods will be dealt with as strictliability violations. This means, for example, that a Player will be guilty of an Anti-Doping Rule Violation if a Prohibited Substance or any of its Metabolites or Markers is present in that Player’s body.
"It is not necessary to demonstrate intent, Fault, negligence or knowing Use on the Player’s part to establish an Anti-Doping Rule Violation for such presence, or for Use of a Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method; and a Player’s alleged lack of intent, Fault, negligence or knowledge is not a valid defence to a charge that such an Anti-Doping Rule Violation has been committed."
Failed drug test details
According to The Telegraph, a report in Ukraine alleged that an 'A' sample taken from Mudryk in October was found to be positive for doping. The report added that the Chelsea ace is still waiting on the result of a 'B' sample and whether or not it confirms the findings of his 'A' sample.
Meanwhile, The Athletic have reported that Mudryk tested positive for 'meldonium' following the November international break. The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) describe the substance as an anti-ischemia medication.
The USADA website states: "Meldonium (Mildronate) is an anti-ischemic drug that was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) Prohibited List, effective January 1, 2016. Not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and not available in the U.S., meldonium is classified as a non-specified substance in the class of Metabolic Modulators on the WADA Prohibited List.
"Outside of the United States, meldonium may be used in a clinical setting for those suffering from heart conditions, such as low blood flow to the heart and angina, as well as neurodegenerative disorders and bronchopulmonary diseases.
"In sport, evidence indicates that meldonium may increase endurance, improve rehabilitation following exercise, and enhance activations of the central nervous system. Meldonium may also provide cognitive advantages."
Meldonium history in sport
Maria Sharapova tested positive for meldonium in March 2016. The former world tennis number one was banned for 24 months but, after a successful appeal, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) reduced the suspension to 15 months.
Alexander Povetkin also tested positive for meldonium in 2016. As a result, his heavyweight title bout against Deontay Wilder was postponed indefinitely.
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Chelsea flag prior the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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