Chelsea Winger Mykhailo Mudryk Fails Drugs Test
Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has failed a routine drugs test, the Premier League club confirmed on Tuesday, sparking an investigation into the cause of the “adverse finding.”
The 23-year-old Ukraine international was subjected to a standard urine test, which reportedly revealed the presence of a banned substance.
While the specific substance remains undisclosed, Mudryk has strongly denied any wrongdoing and insists he has never knowingly used illegal performance-enhancing drugs.
“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,” Mudryk wrote in a statement on Instagram.
“I know that I have not done anything wrong and remain hopeful that I will be back on the pitch soon.”
Chelsea also responded to the situation, confirming they are in contact with the Football Association (FA) and fully cooperating with ongoing investigations. The club has pledged to support Mudryk as they work to determine the circumstances that led to the failed test.
Mudryk’s absence from recent matches has now come into sharper focus. The winger last featured for Chelsea on 28 November and was later named in the matchday squad against Aston Villa on 1 December, but did not play. At the time, head coach Enzo Maresca had attributed Mudryk’s unavailability to illness.
The winger’s failed test raises questions about Chelsea’s next steps, with the FA likely to investigate further to determine whether Mudryk’s actions were inadvertent or a result of external factors.
Under anti-doping regulations, failing a drugs test can result in significant suspensions if proven deliberate, though mitigating circumstances could lead to a reduced penalty.
Mudryk joined Chelsea in January 2023 from Shakhtar Donetsk in a deal worth up to £89 million. Despite flashes of promise, his form has been inconsistent, with 10 goals in 73 appearances for the club.
The news of the failed drugs test is another setback for the young forward as he continues to adapt to the rigors of English football.
The situation adds uncertainty for a player the Blues had hoped would become a key figure at Stamford Bridge.