Mykhailo Mudryk Positive For Drugs, Threatened With Prohibition Of Old Competing

JAKARTA - Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk said he was shocked after being informed about the positive drug test results by the English Football Association (FA).

Reports in Ukraine on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, suggest a banned substance was found in a "A" sample provided at the end of October 2024. The same report states the "B" sample has not been tested, but will be tested in the coming days.

Confirmation that Mudryk has used a banned substance could trigger a long, potentially up to four-year ban on football.

A source told ESPN that Mudryk had been temporarily suspended pending the results of the investigation. However, the FA and Chelsea refused to confirm this when contacted by ESPN.

The 23-year-old has missed the Blues' last five games. Enzo Maresca called Mudryk sick as an excuse for his negligence.

"I can confirm that I have been informed that the samples I gave to the FA contained a prohibited substance," Mudryk wrote on Instagram.

"It's really shocking because I've never consciously used prohibited substances or violated any rules. I'm working with my team to investigate how this happened."

"I know that I didn't make any mistakes and still hope to get back on the pitch soon."

"I can't say anything right now because of the confidentiality of the process, but I will do it soon," said Mudryk again.

Meanwhile, Chelsea issued an official statement regarding the results of Mudryk's test.

The Blues revealed that they had spoken to Mudryk who denied the test results. Now, Chelsea will wait for news from the FA regarding the follow-up test.

In addition, Chelsea will also cooperate with relevant authorities to find out the cause of the findings of the banned substance in the Mudryk test.

"Chelsea can confirm that the FA recently contacted our player Mykhailo Mudryk regarding the negative findings in routine urine tests.

"Both the club and Mykhailo fully support the FA testing program and all of our players, including Mykhailo, are undergoing regular tests."

"Mykhailo has confirmed firmly that he has never consciously used any prohibited substances."

"Both Mykhailo and the club will now work closely with relevant authorities to determine what led to these negative findings. The club will not comment further," reads an official Chelsea statement.

The FA rules state that players who are notified of positive test results can be temporarily suspended by their clubs pending the right to answer and next "B" sample testing.

Mudryk joined Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023 for a potential increase of up to 88 million pounds.

However, his future in England is confusing as he only started 26 Premier League games and only one has this season.

The Ukrainian winger has become a regular in the UEFA Conference League, which Maresca has made major changes to the regular line-up in the Premier League.