Mykhailo Mudryk has broken his silence after being notified about a positive drugs test.
On Tuesday it was reported that Mudryk had been informed by the Football Association and is provisionally suspended from football.
He has been unavailable to feature due to a suspected adverse analytical finding, with the Daily Mail reporting it is believed to be related to a contaminated supplement which is thought to only be available overseas.
It didn't take Mudryk long to react to the news, protesting his innocence and explaining his team are working to further investigate the issue.
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"I can confirm that I have been notified that a sample I provided to The FA contained a banned substance," Mudryk wrote in a statement on Instagram.
"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.
"I know that I have not done anything wrong and remain hopeful that I will be back on the pitch soon. I cannot say any more now due to the confidentiality of the process, but I will as soon as I can."
It's claimed that Mudryk took a routine urine test in August which was clear, and his behaviour has not changed since then.
He is now is waiting on the result of a ‘B’ sample and whether or not it lines up with the findings of his ‘A’ sample. FA rules stipulate that a player notified of a test result can then be provisionally suspended but the player is allowed an explanation before a decision is made in regards to a possible charge and punishment.
Mudryk, an £89 million signing from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023, has not featured for Chelsea since a Europa Conference League against Heidenheim on November 28.
Manager Enzo Maresca had said Mudryk was "ill" and that was the reason why he was not in contention.
Chelsea followed up Mudryk's statement with a comment of their own, writing: “Chelsea Football Club can confirm the Football Association recently contacted our player Mykhailo Mudryk concerning an adverse finding in a routine urine test,” it 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.
“The Club will not be commenting any further.”
SPORTbible has approached the FA for comment.
Currently second in the Premier League, Chelsea return to action on Thursday with a Conference League clash against Shamrock Rovers.
Topics: Chelsea, Mykhailo Mudryk
Josh Lawless