Chelsea have been taken aback by the failed dope test of striker Mykhailo Mudryk who is now facing a possible four-year ban.
Chelsea maintained that they have always carried out consistent and regular dope test on all their players.
Mudryk was reported to have tested positive for meldonium a banned substance on the World Anti-Doping Agency list while on international duty with Ukraine in November. Mudryk has denied taking the prohibited substance knowingly after his urine sample returned positive results.
“Chelsea Football Club can confirm the Football Association recently contacted our player Mykhailo Mudryk concerning an adverse finding in a routine urine test,” said Chelsea FC Tuesday morning.
“Both the Club and Mykhailo fully support The FA’s testing programme and all our players, including Mykhailo, are regularly tested. Mykhailo has confirmed categorically that 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.
In 2016 tennis star Maria Sharapova tested positive to the same substance and was handed 24 months banned which was later reduced to 15 months.
“I can confirm that I have been notified that a sample I provided to The FA contained a banned substance,” said Mudryk on his Instagram account.
‘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.”
