Chelsea attacker Mykhailo Mudryk has released a statement after he was provisionally banned from football after a failed doping test.
The Ukrainian has been absent since he last featured in a Europa Conference League match on November 28. His absence was put down to illness by Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca.
However, the 23-year-old reportedly tested positive for a banned substance – said to be meldonium – during a recent doping test.
The Daily Mail report that it is believed any potential contamination may have happened outside the country. This is because meldonium is not available in the UK.
Mudryk is waiting on the result of a ‘B’ sample and whether or not it confirms the findings of his ‘A’ sample. The results of the B-sample will determine whether the initial test is upheld. This could potentially lead to a significant suspension for the Chelsea star.
Mudryk Releases Statement Over Doping Allegations
Chelsea star Mykhailo Mudryk has released a statement in response to his ban from football over an alleged failed doping test.
He said: “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 when I can.”
🚨⚠️ 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… pic.twitter.com/WfYWmLo4oD
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 17, 2024
Chelsea’s Response to Mudryk Ban
The club has since released an official statement on the matter. They stated: “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.
“The Club will not be commenting any further.”
Mudryk’s Recent Absence from Chelsea Squad
The Ukrainian has started only one Premier League game this season. However, he has been a regular in the Europa Conference League.
During his last appearance in a Chelsea shirt, he scored in a 2-0 victory over Heidenheim last month.
Since then he was an unused substitute against Aston Villa before being left out of Chelsea’s matchday squad ever since.
Mudryk has started only one Premier League match this season, although he has been a regular in the Conference League. During his last appearance, at Germans Heidenheim, he scored in a 2-0 victory. He has also not been seen in training.
Talking to reporters before the 4-3 win over Tottenham on December 6, Maresca said: ‘The other one [to miss out] is still ill is Misha Mudryk and the rest are okay.’
He will likely be asked about Mudryk when he speaks to reporters on Wednesday ahead of the club’s Conference League clash with Shamrock Rovers.
