Chelsea star Mykhailo Mudryk suspended after ‘failing drugs test’ and could face lengthy ban

Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has been provisionally suspended from football after failing a drugs take a look at.

The Ukrainian’s time in west London has hit a brand unusual low with it confirmed he has tested positive for a banned substance in an FA take a look at.

The experiences first surfaced in his native Ukraine, reporting that an ‘A’ urine sample taken in October used to be discovered to be positive for doping.

Mudryk is quiet waiting on the end result of a ‘B’ sample and whether or no longer it confirms the findings of his ‘A’ sample.

It’s a ways believed that the banned substance he tested positive for used to be performance-bettering drug Meldonium, which tennis memoir Maria Sharapova tested positive for on the Australian Commence in 2016.

Meldonium – which used to be added to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s prohibited record in 2016 – is intended to amplify blood slip and can elevate more oxygen to muscular tissues, which helps persistence.

The FA haven’t any longer but commented on the failed take a look at, though deliver on their web recount that any footballer that presents a favorable ‘A’ sample are suspended pending their ‘B’ sample findings.

Mudryk, who can no longer play till his explain is resolved and is unable to bid at Chelsea’s Cobham facility, has reacted to the info on social media, the save aside he stressed he’s a provocative athlete.

Taking to Instagram, he said: “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 entire shock as I if truth be told have never knowingly aged any banned substances or broken any strategies, and am working closely with my personnel to investigate how this could have took deliver.

“I know that I have not done anything wrong and remain hopeful that I will be back on the pitch soon.

“I will no longer bid to any extent further now due to the the confidentiality of the technique, nonetheless I will as soon as I will.”

Chelsea meanwhile have confirmed Mudryk’s failed take a look at, as they said: “Chelsea Football Membership can verify the Football Association honest currently contacted our player Mykhailo Mudryk referring to an destructive discovering in a routine urine take a look at.

“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 aged any banned substances.

“Both Mykhailo and the club will now work with the relevant authorities to establish what has caused the adverse finding.

“The membership would possibly perchance per chance no longer be commenting any further.”

In extreme circumstances, the Anti-Doping Prosecutor’s Office can impose bans of up to four years.

Ex-Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba used to be honest currently hit with a four-three hundred and sixty five days ban for doping offences earlier than it used to be diminished on charm.

Mudryk hasn’t featured for the Blues since the 2-0 Europa Conference League gain over Heidenheim on November 28 due to the illness.

Commenting on Mudryk following Chelsea’s 2-1 gain over Brentford on Sunday, boss Enzo Maresca declared the player wouldn’t be accessible for Thursday’s clash with Shamrock Rovers.

Now not like other gamers who he gave a save aside of dwelling off of their absence, he merely said that Mudryk used to be no longer in contention.

Giving an update on his squad, Maresca said: “We had Joao [Felix] and Romeo [Lavia] that doubtlessly could be accessible for the following one.

“Carney [Chukwuemeka] after Astana was ill, Chilly [Ben Chilwell] was ill. Pedro [Neto] was suspended and then we had Reece [James] and Wes [Fofana] injured.

“And sadly all over the session the day previous to this, Benoit [Badiashile] felt one thing, and Misha [Mudryk] is out too.”

The 23-year-old has featured in 15 games in all competitions this season – chipping in with three goals and five assists.

But he is yet to be directly involved in a Premier League goal this term from his seven outings.

Mudryk made the switch to Stamford Bridge in January 2023 from Shakhtar Donetsk in an £88million deal after Chelsea pipped Arsenal to the Ukrainian’s signature.

But he has so far failed to justify his hefty price tag – banging in just five top-flight goals from 53 matches.