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Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has been handed a provisional suspension by The FA after testing positive for a dope test. The 23-year-old Ukrainian forward has not featured for Chelsea since 28 November reportedly due to health issues, but the recent development suggests otherwise.
Chelsea have confirmed the Football Association contacted Mykhailo Mudryk over an "adverse finding in a routine urine test". pic.twitter.com/03qjuTL7H5
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 17, 2024
According to The Athletic, he tested positive for a banned substance named Meldonium which is used to treat heart conditions. However, Mudryk has issued a statement stating his innocence regarding this situation.
Mudryk has faced a provisional suspension
According to various reports, the FA contacted Chelsea following the international break in November to confirm an 'adverse finding' in a routine urine test of Mykhalo Mudryk. The player has not played for the Blues since his outing against Heidenhem in the UEFA Conference League on 28 November. Mudryk was absent from Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca's training sessions ahead of the game against Astana in December, for which it was reported that he was absent due to illness.
However, the official confirmations have now revealed the actual reason that Mudryk had tested positive for a banned substance called Meldonium. This medication is naturally used to treat heart conditions but can simultaneously elevate endurance and recovery for athletes. Mudryk has been handed a provisional ban by the FA as Chelsea is working with the relevant authorities in this procedure.
Chelsea has published an official statement regarding this situation and admitted that the club and FA had been working collectively on the issue.
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's official statement
Mykhailo Mudryk has posted a statement regarding the allegations and maintained his innocence of unknowingly taking the said substance. His explanation states:
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
Upcoming steps for Mudryk
Mykhailo Mudryk joined Chelsea in 2023 departing Shakhtar Donetsk, where he had shown his utmost potential and stole the limelight. However, the promising young footballer did not have a smooth patch in his Chelsea career, as of now. Mudryk struggled with form and injuries but the newly-surfaced doping allegations will make his life harder in England. He has already received a provisional suspension from all football activities without knowing what can happen next.
Although the player, his representatives, and Chelsea will wait for the 'B' sample which can give the player a chance to explain the consumption of such substance. According to the Times, Mudryk had insisted that he has maintained the same routine since the last routine test in August. However, the player has been cooperative with all the relevant authorities involved in the case.