In news that not even the best UK sports betting sites could have predicted, Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has been punished heavily by the Football Association (FA) for violating its anti-doping rules.
The Ukrainian international, who Chelsea signed in a deal worth up to £89m in January 2023, could face a ban of up to four years following a failed drugs test.
The FA provisionally suspended the 24-year-old player in December after an "adverse finding in a routine urine test". According to the guidelines of FIFA, the governing body of world football, players found to have intentionally taken a prohibited substance can be banned for up to four years.
Mudryk expressed his shock at the time, stating that he had "never knowingly used any banned substances". He has not played for Chelsea since 28 November and has not been included in a matchday squad since 1 December.
Chelsea's response to the FA's ruling
Mudryk is currently unable to train with Chelsea, but the club is providing support for his mental well-being. He attended the Blues' UEFA Conference League final win in Poland last month in a private capacity but was not with the squad.
Chelsea have not officially commented on the charge, but in December, they stated that they would work to establish what caused the failed test. The Blues' manager, Enzo Maresca, expressed support for Mudryk.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the FA confirmed the charge against Mudryk, alleging the presence and/or use of a prohibited substance, in terms of regulations 3 and 4 of the FA's anti-doping regulations. The FA stated that they are not in a position to comment further as this is an ongoing case.
Under FA rules, players have the right to request analysis of the B sample from a urine test in the event of an adverse analytical finding in an A sample. If the B sample analysis confirms the adverse finding, charges will be brought. Players can either accept the finding and the applicable consequences or request that the matter proceed to a hearing.
Mudryk was signed from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023 in a deal worth up to £89m. He is under contract at the club until June 2031. During his time at Chelsea, Mudryk has scored 10 goals in 73 appearances in all competitions for the Blues.
The doping charge against Mudryk is a significant development in his career and the world of football. It serves as a reminder of the stringent anti-doping regulations in place to maintain the integrity of the sport. As the case continues, football fans and sports betting fans alike will be keenly watching the developments as they unfold.
