Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk fails drugs test: Premier League club
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Chelsea's Mykhailo Mudryk failed a doping test, the Premier League club said on Dec 17.
PHOTO: AFP
LONDON – Chelsea forward Mykhailo Mudryk has failed a drug test, the English Premier League club said on Dec 17, as reports stated the Ukrainian international has been provisionally suspended.
The Blues said they were notified by the Football Association of an “adverse finding” in a urine sample provided by the 23-year-old winger.
“Both the club and Mykhailo fully support the FA’s testing programme and all our players, including Mykhailo, are regularly tested,” a club statement said.
“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 issued a statement via his Instagram account.
“I can confirm that I have been notified that a sample I provided to the FA contained a banned substance,” it said.
“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.”
Athletes are warned on the UK Anti-Doping website that they face a ban of four years if it is found a banned substance was taken intentionally.
If the violation involved a specified substance or a contaminated product, and the athlete can demonstrate they had no significant fault, ineligibility may range from two years to a reprimand, depending on the level of fault.
Mudryk has made 15 appearances for Chelsea this season.
He last played in a 2-0 win at German side Heidenheim in the Europa Conference League on Nov 28, when he scored his third goal of the term.
He has not featured in the past five matches in all competitions.
Mudryk joined Chelsea for a reported £88.5 million ($151.9 million) from Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023.
Enzo Maresca’s side are second in the Premier League and top of the Conference League table. AFP