Ukrainian football star fails doping test

Ukrainian football star Mikhail Mudryk, the UK Chelsea club forward and a key player on the Ukraine national team, has tested positive for a doping control test, Ukrainian media reported on Tuesday, citing sources. The reports claimed that the winger tested positive for a substance known as mildronate following his duty with team Ukraine at the UEFA Nations League in November.

The substance is an anti-ischemia medication, which is typically used to treat patients with heart conditions, but can also be used to enhance endurance and the capacity to recover from exercise. It was banned by the World Anti-Doping Authority’s (WADA) in January 2016, and has since been prohibited for use by athletes at all times, both in and out of competition.

Chelsea confirmed that they have been contacted by the English Football Association (FA) over “an adverse finding” in Mudryk’s urine test in a statement on Tuesday. The club said the athlete “confirmed categorically that he has never knowingly used any banned substances” and pledged to “work with the relevant authorities” to determine what caused the result.

Mudryk has missed Chelsea’s last five matches in the Premier League, and has not taken part in games since November 28, with manager Enzo Maresca putting his absence down to illness. In a statement on Instagram, the 23-year-old denied any wrongdoing and said he was “shocked” by the news.

“This has come as a complete shock as I have never knowingly used any banned substances or broken any rules… I know that I have not done anything wrong and remain hopeful that I will be back on the pitch soon,” he stated, adding that he will be working with his team to investigate the findings.

Chelsea have reportedly launched a probe into the findings while Mudryk awaits the result of a second urine sample. Under UK rules, the sportsman faces up to four years’ suspension if the second sample comes in positive, which means the athlete could be left out of Ukraine’s team at the World Cup in 2026. However, sources told The Athletic that there is suspicion of foul-play regarding Mudryk’s test, which is currently being investigated.

Mudryk made the move to Chelsea in January 2023 from Ukraine’s Shakhtar Donetsk for a staggering transfer fee of €70 million ($73 million), the sixth highest fee paid by the club for a player at the time.

Chelsea’s head coach is scheduled to speak to reporters ahead of the club’s next Conference League game on Wednesday, and is expected to give more details on Mudryk’s doping case then. Under the FA policy, Mudryk will be provisionally suspended from games until the probe yields results.