Mykhailo Mudryk breaks silence after drugs test finds substance at centre of Maria Sharapova ban
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Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has denied knowingly using banned substances after a failed doping test, expressing shock at the results.
The 23-year-old Ukrainian has not featured for Chelsea since their Europa Conference League match against Heidenheim last month, where he scored.
His last squad inclusion came against Aston Villa in early December.
"I can confirm that I have been notified that a sample I provided to The FA contained a banned substance," he said in a post on Instagram.
Mykhailo Mudryk has been provisionally banned from football
PA
"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."
Chelsea Football Club released a statement confirming they had been contacted by the Football Association regarding an adverse finding in Mudryk's routine urine test.
The club emphasised their support for both the FA's testing programme and their player's cooperation in the matter.
Mykhailo Mudryk has denied knowingly using a banned substance
PA
"Both Mykhailo and the Club will now work with the relevant authorities to establish what has caused the adverse finding," the statement read.
The club noted that Mudryk "has confirmed categorically that he has never knowingly used any banned substances."
Ukrainian media reports suggest the substance detected in Mudryk's sample was meldonium.
This is the same substance that resulted in tennis star Maria Sharapova's ban in 2016.
The Chelsea forward could face a suspension of up to four years if the B-sample confirms the initial findings.
The outcome of the B-sample analysis will determine the next steps for both Mudryk and Chelsea.
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Mykhailo Mudryk is hopeful of making a return soon
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Mudryk has not been seen at Cobham training ground this month with Enzo Maresca previously stating his absence was injury related.
The winger has struggled to live up to expectations at Stamford Bridge since his mega-money move in January 2023.
The 23-year-old is yet to get off the mark this season in the Premier League, although he's scored three goals in four Europa Conference League games so far.
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