Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has addressed the news of a positive drugs test that has shocked fans and raised serious concerns. On Tuesday, reports emerged that the Football Association (FA) had informed Mudryk of an “adverse finding” in a routine drugs test, resulting in his provisional suspension from football.
The Daily Mail suggests that the positive result might have stemmed from a contaminated supplement, potentially sourced from outside the UK.
In response to the reports, Mudryk took to Instagram to firmly deny any wrongdoing, expressing his shock and commitment to resolving the issue. He wrote:
“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. I know that I have not done anything wrong and remain hopeful that I will be back on the pitch soon.”
Mudryk’s statement conveys confidence in his innocence, though due to the confidential nature of the investigation, he has been unable to provide further details.
The winger had undergone a routine urine test in August, which came back clean, and no issues had been flagged regarding his performance or behavior since. However, the recent test has cast uncertainty on his future.
The FA allows players to respond to such findings and present their explanations before a final decision is made. Mudryk is awaiting the results of a ‘B’ sample test, which, if it confirms the initial findings, could lead to further steps, including potential sanctions.
Chelsea has also released a statement in support of Mudryk, publicly addressing the situation:
“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.”
Mudryk, who joined Chelsea in January 2023 for £89 million from Shakhtar Donetsk, has not played for the club since November 28. His last appearance was in a Europa Conference League match against Heidenheim, with manager Enzo Maresca citing illness as the reason for his absence at the time. The recent developments, however, have raised questions about the true cause of his sidelining.
For now, Mudryk remains provisionally suspended while awaiting the results of the ‘B’ sample test and further investigation. If the contamination theory is proven to be true, he may avoid significant punishment.
Both Chelsea and Mudryk will be hoping for a swift resolution, especially given the critical stage of the season.
The situation is still ongoing, but Mudryk’s strong denial and Chelsea’s backing suggest they will continue to fight for his innocence. The outcome will depend on the forthcoming investigation and test results.
