Chelsea winger Mykailo Mudryk has been provisionally suspended from the sport after he was found to have failed a drug test, according to Ukranian sources. The player is now facing the potential of a lengthier ban.
On Tuesday, the Football Association (FA) informed Chelsea that the Ukrainian provided an “adverse finding in a routine urine test.” The reports suggest the finding was located in his “A” sample from October, while the “B” sample is yet to be tested.
Mudryk denies knowledge of taking banned substances, and took to his official Instagram account to reveal the news:
“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.”
Meanwhile, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said in his pre-match press conference on Wednesday that he “trusts” Mudryk about his innocence, and have decided to stand behind him:
“We’re all upset… We trust Mykhailo, when these types of things happen you need to support your player in all the aspects.”
Before Mudryk signed for Chelsea, he was one of the most sought-after players in the world. He was famously close to joining Arsenal before reversing course and choosing the Blues at the last minute for 89 million Euros.
However, things haven’t quite worked out for the player at Stamford Bridge so far. He has scored 5 goals in 53 appearances in the Premier League and has only started one game under new manager Enzo Maresca.
Chelsea play Shamrock Rovers in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday, before facing off against Everton in the Premier League this weekend.
