Mykhailo Mudryk Shocked by Positive Drugs Test

Mykhailo Mudryk, Chelsea’s winger has reacted with “complete shock” after testing positive for a banned substance. The club confirmed on Tuesday that the Football Association (FA) had notified them of an “adverse finding” in a routine urine test provided by the Ukrainian international. As a result, the FA has provisionally suspended Mudryk while the investigation is ongoing. The player denies knowingly using any banned substances and is working with his team to determine how the failed test occurred.

Mudryk shared his reaction on Instagram, stating that he had never intentionally broken any rules and remains hopeful of returning to the pitch soon. Chelsea has committed to working closely with the FA to investigate the cause of the positive test. Under FA regulations, the FA temporarily suspends players following a positive result but the length of any potential suspension will depend on the investigation’s findings.

A player who intentionally uses a banned substance can face a ban of up to four years, according to FIFA guidelines. Mudryk has missed Chelsea’s last five matches with his most recent appearance being on 28 November. Although Maresca included him in the squad for a match against Aston Villa on 1 December, he did not play. Head coach Enzo Maresca initially attributed his absence to illness.

The 22-year-old, who joined Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk for up to £89m in January 2023 has struggled to make an impact since his arrival.  Despite starting several matches this season, he has had difficulty adapting to the Premier League and has faced criticism for his lack of tactical understanding and positioning. Mykhailo Mudryk’s failed drugs test now threatens to derail any progress he has made at Chelsea.