Mykhailo Mudryk has failed a doping test, his club Chelsea have confirmed. The Ukraine international claims he “never knowingly used a banned substance” after a routine urine test confirmed the presence of a previously unconfirmed substance.
Mudryk has not played since scoring in a 2-0 win over Heindeheim in late November, a five-match absence that head coach Enzo Maresca blamed on illness. Any violation of the English Football Association’s anti-doping policy will result in immediate provisional suspension from the match.
It has not been confirmed when the winger’s test failed or what substance he tested positive for. However, several reports, both in Mudryk’s home country and the United Kingdom, indicate that it was a performance-enhancing drug. If this were indeed the case, he would face a lengthy ban from playing football.
A club statement said: “Chelsea Football Club can confirm that the Football Association has recently contacted our player Mykhailo Mudryk regarding an abnormal result during a routine urine test.
“The club and Mykhailo fully support the FA testing program and all our players, including Mykhailo, are regularly tested. Mykhailo has categorically confirmed that he has never knowingly used any banned substances. Mykhailo and the club will now work with the appropriate authorities to establish what caused the adverse finding.”
Mudryk, 23, joined Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk in a deal worth up to $112 million in January 2023. Since his arrival, the winger has struggled to get fit , delivering 10 goals and nine assists in 73 appearances in all competitions. Chelsea’s financial commitment to Mudryk remains at six-and-a-half years’ worth of wages and fees estimated at around £50m.
“This came as a complete shock as I have never knowingly used any banned substances or broken any rules, and I am working closely with my team to investigate how this could have happened,” Mudryk wrote on Instagram .
“I know I did nothing wrong and I am hopeful that I will return to the field soon. I cannot say more at this time due to the confidentiality of the process, but I will as soon as possible .”
