Chelsea's Mykhailo Mudryk Addresses Positive Drug Test, Vows to Clear His Name
Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has expressed shock after being informed of a positive drugs test by the Football Association (FA).
Reports emerging from Ukraine on Tuesday claim that a prohibited substance was detected in an "A" sample provided by Mudryk at the end of October. The "B" sample, which is yet to be tested, will undergo analysis in the coming days. If confirmed, Mudryk could face a significant ban from football, potentially up to four years.
A source told ESPN that the 23-year-old has been provisionally suspended while the investigation is underway. However, both the FA and Chelsea declined to comment on this when approached by ESPN.
Mudryk, who has been absent from Chelsea’s last five matches, was previously reported as sidelined due to illness by head coach Enzo Maresca.
Taking to Instagram, Mudryk addressed the situation, writing:
“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 released a statement in support of their player, saying:
“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.”
Under FA regulations, players notified of a positive test can be provisionally suspended by their club while awaiting the right to respond and the testing of the "B" sample.
Mudryk, who joined Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023 for a fee that could rise to £88 million, has had an uneven tenure in England. He has started just 26 Premier League games since his arrival and only one this season. However, he has featured regularly in the Europa Conference League, where Maresca often rotates his squad.
Mudryk’s case is now under close scrutiny as Chelsea and the FA await the outcome of further testing and investigations.
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