Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has been provisionally suspended after a doping test revealed an “adverse finding,” the club announced on Tuesday.
The 23-year-old Ukrainian reportedly provided the sample during routine testing conducted by the Football Association (FA).
“Chelsea Football Club can confirm that the Football Association recently contacted our player, Mykhailo Mudryk, concerning an adverse finding in a routine urine test,” the club’s statement read.
“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.”
Mudryk took to Instagram to share his disbelief, maintaining his innocence.
“I can confirm that I have been notified that a sample I provided to the FA contained a banned substance. This has come as a complete shock as I have never knowingly used any banned substances or broken any rules,” Mudryk wrote. “I know that I have not done anything wrong and remain hopeful that I will be back on the pitch soon.”
The investigation remains ongoing as Mudryk and Chelsea await updates from the relevant authorities.