 "Mykhailo Mudryk passed the lie detector test which will be used to build his defence. Image: Reuters")
Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk, who is currently provisionally suspended from playing football due to a doping ban, is ready to go to any lengths to prove his innocence. Ukraine’s Mudryk was provisionally suspended by England’s Football Association in December 2024 after returning a positive test for meldonium .
To prove his innocence, the 24-year-old footballer recently underwent a polygraph test, which is also known as a lie detector test. And reportedly, Mudryk passed the lie detector test, which was arranged by his lawyers.
Mudryk undergoes lie detector test to prove innocence
They now plan to use this evidence to argue Mudryk’s innocence as they wait for the results of the B-sample. If the B-sample also comes positive, then the footballer could face a lengthy ban.
Mudryk’s polygraph test was confirmed by his former club Shakhtar Donetsk chief executive Sergei Palkin in an interview with GiveMeSport. “I have spoken to Mudryk many times since this doping issue arose. He doesn’t understand how it could have happened. He has no clue. No idea at all. His lawyers organised for him to take a lie detector test, which he passed. It will form part of the evidence showing he didn’t intentionally do anything wrong,” Palkin said.
“Mudryk has been clear, it’s not his fault that he tested positive. We now need to find out how this has happened, and who did this. His lawyers are trying to find out. There are still no results from the B-sample, so that remains open. Nobody knows what’s happened. I wish Mudryk all the best. He’s a top professional and a very good person.”
Palkin also revealed that Mudryk staying out of action will result in financial losses for Shakhtar.
“He should be protected. Shakhtar also has a vested interest. There are bonuses from his move to Chelsea linked to his performances. If he’s not playing, it causes problems for us because we could potentially lose €30m. So Shakhtar, Chelsea and Mudryk, we are in one boat. We all support Mudryk, and hope he is allowed to continue playing football soon.”
All this while Mudryk has maintained innocence and ignorance in the doping case. If he fails the doping case, then he will be suspended for four years.
Chelsea spent the 88 million ($110m) to buy Mudryk in 2023.