December 17 – Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has been provisionally suspended from football following a positive drugs test, according to the Football Association.
Mudryk, who has been absent from Chelsea’s last five matches, was initially said to be sidelined due to illness, as explained by manager Enzo Maresca.
It has now emerged, however, that the 23-year-old Ukrainian produced a contaminated ‘A’ sample, prompting his current absence. Mudryk, who joined Chelsea in January 2023 for £89 million, is awaiting the results of a ‘B’ sample to confirm the findings.
A club statement said: “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.”
He posted 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 the process, but I will as soon as I can.”
In Mudryk’s absence, Chelsea have picked up a real hot streak in the Premier League, now placed in second after five straight league wins. They sit just two points off league leaders Liverpool, though Arne Slot’s side have a game in hand.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.llabtoofdlrowedisni@gniwe.yrrah