Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has been formally charged by the Football Association (FA) with breaching anti-doping regulations after failing a drugs test.
Mudryk has not featured for Chelsea since November 28, following his provisional suspension by the FA in December due to an “adverse finding” in a routine urine sample.
The Ukrainian international expressed his shock at the news, insisting that he “never knowingly used any banned substances.” However, under FA rules, Mudryk could face a ban of up to four years.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the FA confirmed that the 24-year-old had been charged with violations related to the presence and/or use of a prohibited substance, referencing regulations three and four of the FA’s anti-doping code.
“With the case still ongoing, we are unable to comment further at this stage,” the FA added.
Mudryk, who joined Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023, reportedly tested positive for meldonium, a banned performance-enhancing drug.
Chelsea conducted their own inquiry into the matter last year and were awaiting the results of the ‘B’ sample test to either confirm or refute the initial findings.
Earlier this month, the winger’s number 10 shirt was reassigned to Cole Palmer for the upcoming season, leaving Mudryk without a squad number at Stamford Bridge. The positive test result emerged shortly after Mudryk returned from international duty with Ukraine in November.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca initially attributed Mudryk’s absence to illness when questioned about his four-game absence prior to the suspension becoming public.
Mudryk’s last involvement with the Chelsea squad was as an unused substitute during their 3-0 Premier League victory over Aston Villa on December 1.
His spell at Chelsea has been marked by inconsistency, with sporadic moments of brilliance amid generally uneven performances. So far, Mudryk has netted just 10 goals in 73 appearances across all competitions for the Blues. Last season, he made only one Premier League start, in a win against Wolves in August.
