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Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has been provisionally suspended from football after failing a drugs test. The Ukrainian's time in west London has hit a new low with it confirmed he has tested positive for a banned substance in an FA test. The reports first surfaced in his native Ukraine, reporting that an ‘A’ urine sample taken in October was found to be positive for doping. Mudryk is still waiting on the result of a ‘B’ sample and whether or not it confirms the findings of his ‘A’ sample. It is believed that the banned substance he tested positive for was performance-enhancing drug Meldonium, which tennis legend Maria Sharapova tested positive for at the Australian Open in 2016. Meldonium - which was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s prohibited list in 2016 - is said to increase blood flow and can carry more oxygen to muscle tissue, which helps endurance. The FA have not yet commented on the failed test, though state on their website that any footballer that provides a positive 'A' sample are suspended pending their 'B' sample findings. Mudryk, who cannot play until his situation is resolved, has reacted to the news on social media, where he stressed he is a clean athlete. Taking to Instagram, he said: "I can confirm that I have been notified that a sample I provided to The FA contained a banned substance. "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. " Chelsea meanwhile have confirmed Mudryk's failed test, as they stated: "Chelsea Football Club can confirm the Football Association recently contacted our player Mykhailo Mudryk concerning an adverse finding in a routine urine test. "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. " In extreme circumstances, the Anti-Doping Prosecutor's Office can impose bans of up to four years. Ex-Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba was recently hit with a four-year ban for doping offences before it was reduced on appeal. Mudryk hasn't featured for the Blues since the 2-0 Europa Conference League win over Heidenheim on November 28 due to illness. Commenting on Mudryk following Chelsea's 2-1 win over Brentford on Sunday, boss Enzo Maresca declared the player would not be available for Thursday's clash with Shamrock Rovers. Unlike other players who he gave a reason for their absence, he simply stated that Mudryk was not in contention. Giving an update on his squad, Maresca said: "We had Joao [Felix] and Romeo [Lavia] that probably can be available for the next one. "Carney [Chukwuemeka] after Astana was ill, Chilly [Ben Chilwell] was ill. Pedro [Neto] was suspended and then we had Reece [James] and Wes [Fofana] injured. "And unfortunately during the session yesterday, Benoit [Badiashile] felt something, and Misha [Mudryk] is out too. " The 23-year-old has featured in 15 games in all competitions this season - chipping in with three goals and five assists. But he is yet to be directly involved in a Premier League goal this term from his seven outings. Mudryk made the switch to Stamford Bridge in January 2023 from Shakhtar Donetsk in an £88million deal after Chelsea pipped Arsenal to the Ukrainian's signature. But he has so far failed to justify his hefty price tag - banging in just five top-flight goals from 53 matches. © 2024 talk SPORT Limited

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