Chelsea forward Mykhailo Mudryk has been provisionally suspended from football after failing a routine drugs test, as confirmed by the player and the club.
The Ukrainian international has struggled for regular game time this season, starting just one Premier League match. However, Mudryk has made an impact in the Europa Conference League, contributing to eight goals in 15 appearances across all competitions.
Mudryk reportedly tested positive for mildronate, a substance banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) since 2016.
Taking to social media, Mudryk expressed his disbelief:
“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. I am working closely with my team to investigate how this could have happened.”
Chelsea Football Club also released an official statement confirming Mudryk’s suspension while voicing their support for the FA’s testing procedures:
“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 categorically confirmed that he has never knowingly used any banned substances. Both Mykhailo and the Club will now work with the relevant authorities to establish what caused this adverse finding. The Club will not be commenting any further.”
Mudryk has already missed Chelsea’s last four fixtures due to illness, and this suspension raises concerns that he could face a prolonged period on the sidelines.
ALSO READ:2024 CAF AWARDS:Lookman, Banda and Williams win big in Morocco
