Chelsea striker Mykhailo Mudryk has been provisionally suspended by the Football Association after failing a drugs test.
Mudryk, who faces a possible ban of up to four years under FA rules, said in a statement that this is “a complete shock” and that he has “done nothing wrong”.
Chelsea has launched its own investigation and says the 23-year-old insists he “never knowingly used any banned substance”.
Mudryk, who passed a routine drugs test in August, has not been part of Chelsea's squad for the past four games. Head coach Enzo Maresca blamed his absence on illness.
The Ukraine winger, who was signed from Shakhtar Donetsk for £88.5 million in January 2023, last played for Chelsea on November 28 in a 2-0 win over German side Heidenhem in the Conference League.
Mudryk, who has three goals in 15 games this season, last appeared on the Chelsea bench as an unused substitute on December 1 in a 3-0 win over Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge.
FA rules require a player to be informed of a positive test and 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.
Chelsea's statement read: “Chelsea Football Club can confirm that the Football Association recently contacted our player Mykhailo Mudryk regarding an adverse finding on a routine urine test.
“Both the club and Mykhailo fully support the FA testing program and all our players, including Mykhailo, are tested regularly.
“Mykhailo has categorically confirmed that he has never knowingly used banned substances. Both Mykhailo and the club will now work with the relevant authorities to determine what caused the negative finding.
“The club does not wish to comment further.”
Mudryk added in his own statement: “This is a complete shock, as I have never knowingly used banned substances or broken any rules, and am working closely with my team to investigate how this could have happened.
“I know I have done nothing wrong and remain hopeful that I will be back on the field soon. I cannot say more now due to the confidentiality of the process, but I will do so as soon as possible.”
Doping violations are 'strict liability violations'
Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol:
“I think it is important in this case 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 is ill.
“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 stand on the field.”
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