Chelsea forward Mykhailo Mudryk is facing a potential four-year ban from football after testing positive for a banned substance. The 23-year-old Ukrainian international has been absent from the Chelsea squad since early December.
News of the failed drug test first emerged from Ukrainian media outlets, before Chelsea confirmed the news. The club and Mudryk have both denied any intentional wrongdoing, with Mudryk stating that he is “devastated” by the situation.
The Football Association (FA) has provisionally suspended Mudryk pending further investigation. Reports suggest that the banned substance detected in his sample was meldonium, the same substance that led to Maria Sharapova’s suspension in 2016.
Mudryk’s career at Chelsea has been marked by inconsistency since his high-profile transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023. The Ukrainian winger has struggled to establish himself as a regular starter and has often been criticized for his performances.
The potential ban would be a significant setback for both Mudryk and Chelsea. The club has already invested heavily in the player and will be hoping for a swift resolution to the situation.
