December 17, 2024

Chelsea winger, Mykhailo Mudryk has been provisionally suspended after failing a drug test, the Football Association confirmed today.

The 23-year-old Ukrainian, who has been absent from the Blues’ squad since late November, was previously listed as being sidelined due to illness, but reports now suggest his absence is related to an adverse analytical finding from a recent drugs test.

Further reports in Ukraine are claiming the substance found in Mudryk’s sample was meldonium – a performance-enhancing drug that was banned in 2016. Player’s representatives have not commented.

Mudryk, who joined Chelsea in a high-profile £88m transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023, has not played since the Europa Conference League match against Heidenheim on November 28.

Since then, he has missed five consecutive matches, including key Premier League fixtures against Aston Villa, Southampton, Tottenham, and Brentford, as well as Chelsea’s recent trip to Kazakhstan to face Astana.

Manager Enzo Maresca had initially explained Mudryk’s absence as being due to illness.

On December 6, Maresca told reporters: “The other one [to miss out] is still ill – Misha Mudryk and the rest are okay.” A few days later, on December 15, the head coach added, “Misha is out too,” after noting a number of other injuries and absences in his squad.

However, it is now understood that Mudryk’s absence is linked to a positive drugs test result, which has led to his provisional suspension under FA regulations.

The player has been notified of an adverse analytical finding, but the Football Association’s rules allow him the opportunity to respond to the test results before any formal charge is made.

Chelsea are believed to have launched their own internal investigation into the situation, with initial reports suggesting the possibility that the substance in question may have come from a contaminated supplement.

Mudryk had previously undergone a routine drug test in August which returned negative results, and sources close to the player claim that he has not altered his behavior or training regimen since then.

It is understood that the substance found in Mudryk’s sample is not available in the UK, leading to speculation that contamination may have occurred outside of the country.

The player is still awaiting the result of a ‘B’ sample test, which will determine whether the initial findings stand.

Mudryk, who has represented Ukraine at international level, is reportedly cooperating fully with Chelsea and the authorities, and has enlisted the services of a specialist sports law firm to handle his case.

The law firm has repeatedly stressed that Mudryk has not been charged with a doping offence and continues to maintain his innocence.

Since joining Chelsea in a much-anticipated move in January 2023, Mudryk has failed to establish himself as a regular starter in the Premier League.

Despite being one of Europe’s most coveted young talents at the time, Mudryk has started only one league match this season, although he has been a consistent presence in Chelsea’s Europa Conference League campaign, where he has contributed three goals in three appearances.

Mudryk’s career at Chelsea has been marked by inconsistency, and his struggle to secure a place in the starting XI has raised questions about his future at Stamford Bridge.

His last appearance for the club was in a 2-0 victory over Heidenheim in the Conference League, where he scored. However, following that game, he was left out of the squad for the next four matches, and his situation now appears even more uncertain due to the ongoing doping investigation.

Chelsea have yet to make an official statement regarding Mudryk’s suspension, but it is understood that the club is supporting the player as the investigation unfolds.

Maresca will speak to the media again on Wednesday ahead of Chelsea’s Conference League clash with Shamrock Rovers, where Mudryk’s situation is likely to be addressed.

Chelsea FC Releases Club Official Statement on Mudryk 

Following the unexpected situation, Chelsea FC have released an official club release.

Chelsea statement on Mykhailo Mudryk:

“Chelsea Football Club can confirm that 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.”

 

Mykhailo Mudryk  Releases Official Statement 

⚠️ Mykhaylo Mudryk’s official statement.

“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”.

Mykhailo Mudryk Official Statement

Mudryk’s suspension is a significant blow for both player and club, as the winger was expected to be an important part of Chelsea’s rebuilding effort under Maresca.

With his future now in limbo, Mudryk’s next steps will depend on the outcome of the ‘B’ sample test and the conclusion of the ongoing investigation.