Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has expressed his unwavering support for Mykhailo Mudryk following the Ukrainian winger’s failed drugs test.
On Tuesday, the club revealed they had been informed by the Football Association (FA) of an adverse finding in Mudryk’s urine sample. The 23-year-old, however, insists he did not knowingly consume a banned substance, describing the results as a complete shock in an Instagram post.
“We trust Misha,” Maresca said on Wednesday, referring to Mudryk by his nickname. “When this kind of thing happens, you need to support your player in all aspects. Misha is a Chelsea player. It’s my duty, along with the club and his teammates, to stand by him. Trust means we believe him.”
Under UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) regulations, athletes who intentionally consume banned substances can face a four-year ban. However, if the violation involves a contaminated product or specified substance, and the athlete demonstrates no significant fault, penalties may range from a two-year ban to a reprimand.
Mudryk, who joined Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023 for a reported £88.5 million ($112 million), has made 15 appearances this season. He last featured in Chelsea’s 2-0 victory against Heidenheim in the European Conference League on November 28, where he scored his third goal of the campaign.
Maresca emphasized the importance of providing emotional and professional support to Mudryk during this challenging time.
Despite the setback, Chelsea remain focused on their upcoming fixtures. The Blues sit second in the Premier League and lead the European Conference League table ahead of their clash with Shamrock Rovers on Thursday.
