Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has been formally charged by the Football Association (FA) for breaching anti-doping regulations after testing positive for a banned substance. The 24-year-old Ukrainian international could face a suspension of up to four years under FIFA’s anti-doping guidelines.
Mudryk was provisionally suspended in December following an “adverse finding” from a routine urine test. At the time, he expressed shock, insisting he had “never knowingly used any banned substances.”
Since November 28, Mudryk has not featured in a Chelsea match and has been absent from matchday squads since December 1.
In an official statement released on Wednesday, the FA said
“We can confirm that Mykhailo Mudryk has been charged with Anti-Doping Rule Violations, alleging the presence and/or use of a prohibited substance under Regulations 3 and 4 of The FA’s Anti-Doping Regulations. As this is an ongoing case, we are unable to comment further at this stage.”
Chelsea have not issued a new comment, but in December stated they were working to determine the cause of the failed test. At that time, they affirmed Mudryk’s claim of not knowingly taking any prohibited substance.
Manager Enzo Maresca also voiced support in December, saying:
“We support Mykhailo, and trust means that we believe Mykhailo.”
FA regulations allow players to request a B Sample analysis if the A Sample returns an adverse finding. If the B Sample confirms the result, the athlete may either accept the charge and its consequences or proceed to a disciplinary hearing.
