Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk provisionally suspended after failing a drug test | OneFootball

Mykhailo Mudryk has been provisionally suspended after failing an FA drugs test and could face a ban of up to multiple years if found guilty of taking a banned substance.

The Ukrainian has had a difficult time at Chelsea in the two seasons since he joined the club, but it may get even worse after this news.

Reports are that an ‘A’ urine sample taken in October show that Mudryk may have taken the banned substance Meldonium. Meldonium has been banned in sport since 2016 and is known for helping athletes with endurance.

The 23-year-old is now waiting on results from a ‘B’ sample, which will either confirm the findings of the first sample or not.

Mudryk has released a 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.”

Chelsea have released a statement of their own: “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.”