Chelsea's Mykhailo Mudryk fails doping test: What substance was found, and what punishment could Ukrainian face?

Chelsea forward Mykhailo Mudryk was handed a provisional suspension on Tuesday after he returned positive in a doping test. Mudryk was reportedly found to have used Meldonium, a banned substance that helps people suffering from heart conditions. Meldonium was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) banned substances list in 2016.

“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,” Chelsea said in a statement.

The Ukraine international said that he was “shocked” to find out about the development and admitted to not using any banned substance. “I can confirm that I have been notified that a sample I provided to the FA contained a banned substance,” Mudryk said via a statement on social media. “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.

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“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,’ he added. Mudryk has not played for Chelsea since 28 November, when they beat FC Heidenheim in the UEFA Conference League. He was on the bench for Chelsea’s Premier League game against Aston Villa on 1 December.

What is Meldonium? 

As per the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), Meldonium is a drug that is used to treat people with heart conditions like low flow of blood to the heart and those who have chest pains. As far as athletes are concerned, the drug helps boost one’s endurance and help the body recover from exercise.

United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has disapproved the usage of this drug, which is sold in only some parts of Europe. Many football leagues have also banned the usage of this drug since 2016.

Is Mudryk at the risk of being banned from football? 

According to the rules set by the Football Association, Mudryk was provisionally suspended after an “adverse finding” during the “A” sample. Should the “B” sample also return positive, Mudryk could be banned from football for two to four years.  The athletes are given a warning on the UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) website if they are found to have consumed a banned substance on purpose.

Mudryk, who joined Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023, has played 15 matches for the Blues this season and scored three goals while assisting another four. Chelsea are in second place in the English Premier League with 34 points from 16 matches, two points behind league leaders Liverpool (34) who have a game in hand Enzo Maresca’s side next face Shamrock Rovers in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday, before facing Everton in the Premier League on Sunday.