New Delhi, Dec 17 (NationPress) Chelsea striker Mykhailo Mudryk has been provisionally suspended following a failed doping test. The Football Association notified the club about an 'adverse finding in a routine urine test.'

Mudryk, aged 23, has strongly denied any wrongdoing, asserting that he has 'never knowingly used any banned substance' and is currently assessing how to address this unexpected situation.

“I can confirm that I have been informed that a sample I provided to The FA contained a banned substance. This revelation has taken me by complete surprise, as I have never knowingly used any banned substances or violated any rules, and I am collaborating closely with my team to understand how this could have occurred.

“I am confident that I have not committed any wrongdoing and remain optimistic about returning to the pitch soon. I am unable to disclose further details at this moment due to the confidential nature of the process, but I will provide updates as soon as possible,” stated Mudryk.

Reports regarding Mudryk's violation surfaced in Ukraine on Monday, indicating that the substance detected in his ‘A’ sample was Meldonium, a performance-enhancing drug that has been on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s prohibited list since January 1, 2016.

“Chelsea Football Club acknowledges that the Football Association recently reached out to our player Mykhailo Mudryk concerning an adverse finding in a routine urine test. Both the club and Mudryk fully support The FA’s testing program, and all our players, including Mudryk, undergo regular testing. Mudryk has categorically confirmed that he has never knowingly used any banned substances. Both he and the club will now collaborate with the appropriate authorities to determine the cause of the adverse finding,” stated Chelsea Football Club.

Mudryk joined Chelsea in a deal valued at up to 89 Million Pounds, after outbidding London rivals Arsenal for his signature in January 2023. The Ukrainian signed an eight-and-a-half-year contract that will last until June 2031. Since joining the club, Mudryk has had a lackluster impact, participating in 73 matches while scoring only 10 goals and providing nine assists.

The most significant doping case in recent football history involves Paul Pogba, who received a four-year ban for using DHEA, a testosterone-boosting supplement. Pogba's violation was categorized under 'non-endogenous testosterone metabolites' by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), resulting in a four-year period of ineligibility starting September 2023, alongside a 5,000 Euro fine, although his sanction was later reduced to 18 months of ineligibility, and the fine was annulled.