Both Chelsea and Mykhailo Mudryk have broken their silence following the winger's provisional ban.
The Ukrainian star failed a drug test after receiving a positive result with an A sample at the end of October.
The 23-year-old winger, who arrived at Stamford Bridge in January 2023 for a fee that could reach £88 million, insists he never knowingly broke any rules.
Mudryk wrote on Instagram this morning: “I can confirm that I have been informed that a sample I provided to the FA contained a prohibited substance.
“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.”
Mudryk and Chelsea are now said to be awaiting the result of the B sample, which will confirm the original test if it also comes back positive.
Tribuna claims Mudryk tested positive for meldonium, a banned metabolic substance similar to insulin.
It can apparently allow the body to “use oxygen sparingly and quickly restore energy to prepare for a new load of physical stress.”
Meldonium is widely used in Eastern Europe and has been on the World Anti-Doping Agency's banned list since 2016.
But if confirmed, the 23-year-old could face a football ban of up to four years.
Chelsea shared a statement on Tuesday morning, writing: “We can confirm that the FA recently contacted our player Mykhailo Mudryk regarding an adverse finding on a routine urine test.
“Both the Club and Mykhailo fully support the FA's 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 has not played since scoring in the 2-0 Conference League win over Heindenheim on November 28.
He has also not been part of a matchday selection since the 3-0 win over Aston Villa in the Premier League on December 1.
And the official reason given by his club for Mudryk's absence is that he has been ill.
Mudryk has not been training at Cobham in the meantime.
FA rules state that a player who is informed of a test result may subsequently be provisionally suspended.
They then have the opportunity to respond with an explanation before a decision is made on possible charges.
Mudryk is known to have undergone a test in August that came back clear and insists he has not changed his behavior since then.
Enzo Maresca will next speak to reporters on Wednesday ahead of Chelsea's Europa Conference League match with Shamrock Rovers on Thursday evening, with Chelsea hosting an open training session on the same day at 3pm.
Twenty years ago, the Blues saw Romanian striker Adrian Mutu banned from football for seven months in September 2004 after testing positive for cocaine.
Mutu's deal was terminated for breach of contract and Chelsea were eventually awarded £14 million in compensation by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
While ex-Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba was banned for 18 months in August 2023 after testing positive for the performance-enhancing drug DHEA, leading to the eventual termination of his Juventus contract.
Mudryk has made 15 appearances in all competitions this season, with three goals and five assists.
But he has yet to be directly involved in a Premier League goal this season after his seven appearances.
Mudryk made the move from Shakhtar Donetsk to west London in an £88 million deal after Chelsea pipped Arsenal for his signature.
But so far he has failed to justify his high price tag, scoring just five top-flight goals from 53 games.
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