Enzo Maresca Yakin Mykhailo Mudryk Tidak Bersalah Atas Dugaan Penggunaan Narkoba

JAKARTA - Enzo Maresca said that Chelsea believed Mykhailo Mudryk was innocent after his drug test results were positive and would continue to support the player.

Mudryk and Chelsea released a statement on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, local time, confirming that the FA (British Football Association) had contacted the Ukrainian winger regarding the administration of negative urine samples, with both players and clubs expressing their surprise.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has faced the media for the first time on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, since the news emerged.

He confirmed that everyone at Chelsea trusts Mudryk, who doesn't train with the team while waiting for further test results.

"We are all upset, sad. We give him public support. We believe in Mykhailo. When things like this happen, you need to support your players in all aspects."

"He was one of the players in my squad. So it was my job to contact him."

"We were all there. Teammates, clubs, me, we were all there. Trust means we believe in Myka, we support it."

"We want to help him in whatever he needs. Naturally, at this time he needs help from the club and we are ready to support him," Maresca said.

"We all believe (he is innocent)," said Maresca again while nodding her head agreeing to the question of whether Chelsea felt Mudryk was innocent.

Reports in Ukraine on Tuesday showed a banned substance was found in a "A" sample given in 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 football ban.

FIFA guidelines state that the maximum ban on anti-doping violations is four years.

"This isn't the first time this has happened again. It's going to happen again for different players. They know exactly what they have to do."

"I thought he would come back, but for sure we don't know when," said Maresca again.

Mudryk was one of Europe's most popular players when he joined Chelsea in January 2023, at a cost of a potential increase of up to 88 million pounds.

However, the 23-year-old has only started in 26 Premier League games and is only once this season under Maresca, admitting Chelsea may be looking for more ammunition by January 2025.

"We have three or four games before January 2025. After three Premier League games (remaining 2024), we will see if we need to do anything," said the Italian coach.

Chelsea will face Shamrock Rovers in the UEFA Conference League on Friday, December 20, 2024, early morning WIB, before Premier League matches against Everton, Fulham, and Ipswich Town to close in 2024.

The Blues are currently in second place in the 2024/2025 Premier League standings. They are only two points away from Liverpool at the top of the standings.