Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca believes striker Mykhailo Mudryk is innocent and fully trusts his player after he was provisionally suspended by the Football Association for failing a drugs test.
The positive test was for the banned substance meldonium and Mudryk now faces a possible ban of up to four years under FA rules.
The Ukraine international released a statement shortly after the news broke, claiming he had “done nothing wrong” and his manager has now spoken out about the matter, stating that he trusts the winger and will support him during the trial supports.
“Now the situation is a bit clearer, in terms of explanation there is nothing more to add,” Maresca said on Thursday ahead of the Europa Conference League match against Shamrock Rovers.
“The club, the coaching staff and everyone on the training pitch will support him.
“General support. We trust him. When things like this happen, you have to support the player. He is a Chelsea player and is one of the players involved in the squad, so it is my duty to contact him standing. We are all there.
“It's not the first time this has happened. It will happen again for different players, they know exactly what to do and that's why we trust and support him.”
When asked for an answer to whether he believed Mudryk is innocent, Maresca added: “Exactly, yes, it is like this. What Mycha said.
'We all believe that [Mudryk is innocent] Than [after] we will see. I think he will come back, but we certainly don't know when.”
Chelsea have launched their own investigation into the matter, with the player insisting the sample was contaminated after he failed a drugs test in August and has not changed any aspect of his diet since.
FA rules state that once a player is notified of a positive test, he must be provisionally suspended before a decision is made on a formal charge. Mudryk has the opportunity during this period to provide an explanation for the outcome.
He is currently following an individual training program at home, away from Cobham, and is said to be devastated by the news.
Doping violations are 'strict liability violations'
Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol:
“What is important in this case is that the 'A' sample tested positive. We are still waiting for the result of the 'B' sample, so I think that is very important for Mykhailo Mudryk.
“He has missed the last five games for Chelsea. Enzo Maresca, when asked about Mykhailo Mudryk's absence, said the player was ill. We know the player was really ill with a virus.”
“In the meantime, Chelsea have launched their own investigation and it should be noted that the player passed a routine anti-doping test in August.
“It is also important to emphasize that anti-doping violations are strict liability violations. This means that you as a player are responsible for what is in your body. It does not matter how it got there; it is a strict liability violation .”
“Mykhailo Mudryk himself has been on social media. He said he is in a state of complete shock. He said he has never knowingly used a banned substance, and he says he has done nothing wrong and hopes to recover soon to be on the field.
“The player is confident he will be acquitted as he believes he has done nothing wrong and believes there is strong evidence to support his position.”
Comments