Chelsea winger and former Arsenal target Mykhailo Mudryk has failed a doping test and faces a ban, according to claims in the Ukrainian media.
Ukrainian outlet Tribuna reported on Monday night that Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has failed a doping test taken in late October. The banned substance was reportedly found in the player’s A sample, with the B sample to be tested in the coming days.
Assuming the B sample confirms the result, Mudryk would face a ban, with UA-Football reporting that he could miss up to four years through suspension.
UA-Football corroborate the claims made by Tribuna, reporting that their own sources have confirmed that the doping test result is the reason for Mudryk’s recent absence.
Mudyrk has been completely absent from Chelsea’s last four matchday squads, with official reports suggesting he was “ill”. But these claims from Ukraine cast some doubt on that explanation.
Ukrainian journalist Vladimir Zverov has explained the process for what’s next, saying: “If an athlete’s ‘A’ sample tests positive, there is very little chance that the ‘B’ sample will yield a negative result.
“If the ‘A’ sample returns a positive result, the athlete has the right to request the opening of the ‘B’ sample. Alternatively, he may choose not to request it, opting instead to accept responsibility.
“If the ‘A’ sample is positive and the athlete feels he may be at fault or believes that he could have a prohibited substance in his bloodstream, he might refuse the ‘B’ sample. This could be seen as the athlete cooperating with the investigation, which may influence the penalty imposed.
“However, if the ‘B’ sample also tests positive, which often happens, it is officially classified as a violation of anti-doping regulations. The consequence could be a ban of up to four years. As far as I understand, the maximum penalty Mudryk is facing is a four-year ban.
“If the ‘B’ sample comes back negative, then he is not guilty, and the case will be closed.”
Arsenal had pushed to sign Mudryk in 2023, before his eventual move to Chelsea. The player has made 73 appearances for Chelsea since then, scoring 10 goals and assisting a further nine.
The 23-year-old was yet to get off the mark for Chelsea in seven Premier League matches this season, but he had eight goals and assists in eight games between the Conference League, Conference League qualifiers, and the League Cup.