Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk is facing a potential ban after failing a doping test.
As first reported by Ukrainian outlet Tribuna on Monday evening, a banned substance was discovered in Mudryk’s ‘A’ sample from a doping test that was carried out in October.
A request for the ‘B’ sample to be analysed has now been made in order to verify the adverse finding.
Mudryk has now been provisionally suspended while an investigation into his doping test is completed.
A message from Mudryk on his Instagram account read: ‘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 I 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.’
Mykhaylo Mudryk (Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)
A statement from Chelsea on Tuesday morning read: ‘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.’
Mudryk joined Chelsea in an £89 million deal from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023, but has failed to play at the highest level. He has not played for Enzo Maresca’s side since the 2-0 win over FC Heidenheim in the Conference League on November 28.
Under the World Anti-Doping Code (WADA), players who fail a drugs test can be banned from football for up to four years.
