Chelsea forward Mykhailo Mudryk provisionally suspended by FA after ‘adverse finding’ in urine test
Chelsea forward Mykhailo Mudryk has been provisionally suspended by the Football Association following an adverse finding in a routine urine test, with the 23-year-old facing a potential ban of up to four years under FA regulations.
Mudryk, who has missed Chelsea’s last five games, described the situation as “a complete shock” and reiterated, “I have never knowingly used any banned substances or broken any rules.” He added that he is working closely with his team to determine the cause of the result and remains confident of his innocence.
Chelsea, who signed Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk for £88.5m in January 2023, have launched their own investigation. The club confirmed the FA had notified them of the test result and released a statement supporting both Mudryk and the FA’s testing protocols. Chelsea said: “Mykhailo has categorically confirmed he has never knowingly used any banned substances… Both Mykhailo and the club will now work with the relevant authorities to establish what has caused the adverse finding.”
Mudryk, who last played in Chelsea’s 2-0 Conference League win over Heidenheim on November 28, has not featured in the squad since December 1, when he was an unused substitute against Aston Villa. Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca previously attributed Mudryk’s absence to illness.
Anti-doping breaches are considered strict liability offences, meaning players are held responsible for any prohibited substances found in their body, regardless of intent. Mudryk, who passed a routine drugs test in August, has expressed his determination to clear his name, stating: “I hope to be back on the pitch soon.”
Sky Sports News’ chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol emphasized the importance of the pending results from Mudryk’s ‘B’ sample, which could play a key role in determining the next steps.
