Mykhailo Mudryk ‘suspended’ after ‘adverse finding’ in FA’s routine urine test

Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has been provisionally suspended from all forms of football following a positive drugs test.

The Ukraine international has not figured for the Blues since November 28 – when he scored in a Europa Conference League win over Heidenheim. His absence had been put down to illness, but it has now been revealed that he failed a doping test and is unavailable to head coach Enzo Maresca.

A statement on the Blues’ official website reads: “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.”

Mudryk has responded to the news by posting on social media: “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, and 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. I cannot say any more now due to the confidentiality of the process, but I will as soon as I can.”