Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has been provisionally suspended from football after receiving notification of a positive drugs test from the Football Association.
The 23-year-old Ukrainian international has not featured for the Blues since a Europa Conference League match on November 28.
The player is understood to have been unavailable for selection due to a suspected adverse analytical finding, despite his manager Enzo Maresca previously attributing his absence to illness.
FA rules state that players notified of a test result can be provisionally suspended, with the opportunity to provide an explanation before any potential charge is made.
Mudryk is currently awaiting the result of a ‘B’ sample to confirm or contradict the findings of his initial ‘A’ sample test.
Mykhailo Mudryk has been provisionally suspended
PA
A Chelsea statement 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 FAs 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.
“The club will not be commenting any further.”
The player has missed his club’s last five matches, having last appeared in a 2-0 victory against Heidenheim where he scored.
A specialist sports law firm acting for Mudryk has repeatedly stated that the player has not been charged with a doping offence.
Speaking to reporters before Chelsea’s 4-3 win over Spurs on December 6, Maresca said: “The other one [to miss out] is still ill is Misha Mudryk and the rest are okay.”
Mykhailo Mudryk has not played since the end of November
PA
The manager later reiterated Mudryk’s absence on December 15, telling Chelsea’s website that “Misha (Mudryk) is out too” alongside updates about other players.
The Ukrainian is known to have undergone a clear drugs test in August and insists he has not changed his behaviour since then.
The player is understood to be cooperating fully with the investigation, with Chelsea supportive of his explanation.
Mudryk has not been seen training at Chelsea’s Cobham facility during this period of absence.
The Blues are set to hold an open training session at 3pm on Thursday, ahead of their Europa Conference League clash with Shamrock Rovers.
Manager Enzo Maresca is scheduled to speak to reporters on Wednesday, where he may face questions about the situation.
Since his last appearance, Mudryk was initially named as an unused substitute against Aston Villa before being left out of matchday squads against Southampton, Tottenham, Brentford and Astana.
Mudryk joined Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk in early 2023 for a fee that could rise to £89m, signing an eight-year contract with the London club.
LATEST SPORT NEWS:
Mykhailo Mudryk is said to be cooperating with the investigation
PA
The highly-sought after winger was pursued by several clubs, including Arsenal, during what proved to be a busy January transfer window.
His Premier League career has seen mixed fortunes, with only 26 of his 53 appearances coming as starts.
Despite limited league action this season, Mudryk has shown impressive form in European competition.
The Ukrainian international has recorded a goal contribution in every Conference League group phase match this season.
+ There are no comments
Add yours