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Mykhailo Mudryk has been provisionally suspended following an ‘adverse finding’ in a routine urine test.
The fallout from Mykhailo Mudryk’s provisional suspension from football has spread throughout the media following the news he had failed a drugs test. Chelsea have confirmed the FA had contacted the Ukraine international regarding an ‘adverse finding in a routine urine test’.
Mudryk tested positive for a prohibited substance with a B sample being awaited following the positive A sample. While the investigation is underway, Mudryk is not training at Cobham and is on an individual programme at home.
“Both the Club and Mykhailo fully support The FA’s testing programme and all our players, including Mykhailo, are regularly tested,” Chelsea wrote in an official statement earlier this week. “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.”
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Chelsea are up against Shamrock Rovers in the Europa League on Thursday and ahead of the clash, Enzo Maresca was fielding a number of questions regarding Mudryk’s suspension and investigation. The Blues boss said he didn’t think it would be a ‘wake-up call’ for other players going out on international duty but admitted everyone at camp is upset for Mudryk.
“At the moment he can't train. We are waiting but as I say, the club are there ready to support the player with all the aspects he needs,” Maresca said, while also revealing he ‘didn’t know’ when the test occurred.
“If you say trust, what does it mean? We trust Mykhailo and we support Mykhailo and trust means that we believe Mykhailo,” the Italian continued. “First of all, these kind of things not only happen to young players but players with experience.
“It is my duty since we started that I try and have a relationship with players quite close because I like it that way. With Mudryk it is exactly the same and I am here to help him in anything he needs. At this moment it is normal that he is going to need help from the club, from me and from his teammates and we are all there trying to support him.”
Maresca also said that he and the club ‘believe’ Mudryk is innocent, although there has been no timeline specified regarding how long the investigation could take. He added: “I think he will come back. The only thing is we don't know when, that's the only doubt we have at the moment. For sure he is going to come back."
Once Chelsea face Shamrock Rovers on Thursday, they have three chances to knock Liverpool off their perch and claim the Premier League top spot for their own heading into the new year. The Blues have muscled the gap between them and Arne Slot’s side down to just two points and if they can keep their winning run going, they will pile the pressure onto the Reds.
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