Ukrainian striker Mykhailo Mudryk tested positive in a doping test carried out in October after a Premier League match against Chelsea.
The news was confirmed by the player himself who – in a post on his Instagram profile – declared himself a stranger. The prohibited substance was not specified (although some Ukrainian newspapers speak of meldonium), but Chelsea said in a statement that Mudryk, 23, has already requested counter-analysis, the result of which will be revealed in the next few days.
If the positive test is confirmed, the player risks a disqualification of up to four years.
“I can confirm that I have been informed that the FA has detected traces of a banned substance in one of my samples,” wrote the Ukrainian striker. “I am in a state of total shock because I have never knowingly used banned substances, or broken any rules I’m thinking closely with my team to understand how this could have happened. I know I didn’t do anything wrong, and I continue to hope to be back on the pitch soon.”
Mudryk moved to London in January 2023 when Chelsea had paid his former club Shakhtar Donetsk around €70 million. So far, however, his performance in England has been well below expectations: this season he has only made 15 appearances, with three goals (in the Conference League) and five assists, starting only once.
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