Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has expressed his shock after testing positive for a banned substance during a routine drug test.
The club confirmed on Tuesday that they had been contacted by the Football Association (FA) regarding the “adverse finding” from the 23-year-old Ukrainian international’s sample.
In a statement posted on Instagram, Mudryk denied knowingly using any prohibited substances.
“This has come as a complete shock as I have never knowingly used any banned substances or broken any rules,” Mudryk wrote. “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.”
Chelsea issued a statement supporting Mudryk, pledging to assist him in determining the cause of the failed test.
However, details regarding the specific substance or the winger’s immediate playing status remain unclear.
Club statement: Mykhailo Mudryk.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 17, 2024
Reports suggest Mudryk may have been provisionally suspended, though this has not been confirmed.
Mykhailo Mudryk has been provisionally suspended by FA after they were notified he had tested positive for a banned substance.
The Chelsea forward has responded to his suspension on Instagram. pic.twitter.com/WmsFzlh2qD
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 17, 2024
Mudryk last featured for Chelsea on November 28 but has missed the past five matches across all competitions.
Despite being included in the squad for Chelsea’s December 1 victory over Aston Villa, he did not play, with head coach Enzo Maresca attributing his absence to illness.
Signed from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023 for a deal worth up to £89 million, Mudryk has made 73 appearances for Chelsea, scoring 10 goals.
His positive test adds another layer of uncertainty to Chelsea’s season, with the club now awaiting further developments from the FA investigation.
