Chelsea's Ukrainian winger Mykhailo Mudryk fails drugs test

By Emre Asikci

ISTANBUL (AA) - Chelsea's Ukrainian player Mykhailo Mudryk has tested positive for a banned substance, the English club confirmed on Tuesday.

"Chelsea Football Club can confirm the Football Association recently contacted our player Mykhailo Mudryk concerning an adverse finding in a routine urine test," Chelsea said in a statement.

"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," the club added.

Mudryk said he had not done anything wrong. "This has come as a complete shock as I have never knowingly used any banned substances or broken any rules, and am working closely with my team to investigate how this could have happened," Mudryk said on Instagram.

“I know that I have not done anything wrong and remain hopeful that I will be back on the pitch soon," he added.

He signed an eight-year contract with Chelsea when he moved to the Blues from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2023.

The 23-year-old left winger produced 10 goals and nine assists in 73 games for the London team.