Mykhailo Mudryk has failed a drugs test, according to two stories in Ukrainian media with the player now suspended for using a banned substance and doping
Mykhailo Mudryk tested positive for doping, according to top Ukrainian journalist Vladimir Zverov.
The findings of the B-sample, which will either validate or refute the positive test from the A-sample obtained in “late October,” are now pending. No information has been released regarding the nature of the prohibited substance or whether this was a UEFA or Premier League test.
Which banned substance did Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk use as he’s suspended from football for doping after positive drugs test
Mykhailo Mudryk has not been in a matchday squad since the Aston Villa game on December 1 and has not featured since Heidenheim away on November 28. Although he has been an afterthought in the majority of the club’s injury bulletins and updates, the official explanation has been that he has been sick and not in the Beastie Boys style.
Mykhailo Mudryk has now been provisionally suspended after testing positive to doping test and Chelsea confirmed that the FA recently contacted 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”.
Mudryk has meanwhile denied ever knowingly using a banned substance and Chelsea say they will work to establish what caused the failed test.
“This has come as a complete shock as I have never knowingly used any banned substances or broken any rules, and am working closely with my team to investigate how this could have happened,” Mudryk wrote on Instagram.
“I know that I have not done anything wrong and remain hopeful that I will be back on the pitch soon.”
It is unclear which substance was found in Mudryk’s test as of now. However, further reports in Ukraine suggesting the banned substance is meldonium – a performance-enhancing drug that was banned in 2016 and is not available in the UK with the alleged doping said to have taken place outside the UK.
Meanwhile Mudryk is said to believe that a contaminated substance imported from abroad is behind the test result and he’s being represented by a specialist firm.
🚨 BREAKING: Mykhailo Mudryk has been provisionally suspended after testing positive to doping test.
Chelsea confirm that the FA recently contacted Mudryk concerning an adverse finding in a routine urine test.
“Both the Club and Mykhailo fully support the FA’s testing… pic.twitter.com/O5vC92w19D
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 17, 2024
Mykhailo Mudryk now might be subject to harsh consequences, such as a multi-year suspension from football. For instance, Paul Pogba’s current four-year sentence was lowered to 18 months on appeal after he tested positive for DHEA in Italy.
There is very little probability that an athlete’s ‘B’ sample will come back negative if their ‘A’ sample is positive.
The player is entitled to request that the ‘B’ sample be opened if the ‘A’ sample yields a positive result. Alternatively, he can decide to take responsibility rather than ask for it.
The player may also decline the ‘B’ sample if the ‘A’ sample comes back positive and he feels responsible or thinks he may have a banned substance in his system.
This might be interpreted as the athlete assisting with the inquiry, which could affect the severity of the punishment.
However, it is formally categorized as a violation of anti-doping regulations if the ‘B’ sample also tests positive, which frequently occurs.