It is claimed that Mykhailo Mudryk has passed a lie detector test in an effort to clear his name from accusations of being a drugs cheat.
The Chelsea player is currently suspended. He is awaiting the results of a second test on a urine sample that showed positive for meldonium, a substance on the banned list.
According to the CEO of Shakhtar Donetsk, Mudryk`s former club in Ukraine, the player signed from them two years ago and his legal team arranged for him to undergo a polygraph test.
Sergei Palkin stated: “I have spoken with Mudryk numerous times since this doping issue emerged.
He doesn`t understand how this could have occurred. He has no idea whatsoever.
Consequently, his lawyers arranged a lie detector test, which he passed. This will serve as part of the evidence indicating he did not act with intent.
Mudryk has been emphatic that the positive test is not his fault. We now need to determine how this happened and who is responsible. His legal team is investigating.”
It`s important to note that taking banned substances unknowingly is not a valid defense, and Mudryk could face a suspension of up to four years.
He has not appeared in a match since November 28 of the previous year, when he scored for Chelsea against Heidenheim in the Conference League.
Traces of meldonium were found in a standard urine sample provided during international duty.
Palkin acknowledged his club supports Mudryk, partly because they are still due potential add-ons from the transfer deal, which could reach £88m, contingent on his regular play.
The 24-year-old Mudryk has reportedly kept a low profile since the news of his failed drug test emerged and has not been seen at Chelsea`s training facilities for several months.
Ukrainian football has suffered significantly from the 2022 invasion by Russia, leaving many clubs in severe financial difficulties.
Palkin informed GiveMeSport: “The results from the B-sample are still pending, so the situation remains unresolved. No one knows exactly what occurred. I wish Mudryk well; he is a top professional and a genuinely good person who deserves protection.
Shakhtar also has a vested interest. The transfer agreement with Chelsea includes performance-related bonuses.
If he isn`t playing, it creates issues for us as we could potentially lose €30m (£25m) in these bonuses. Therefore, Shakhtar, Chelsea, and Mudryk are all in the same position. We all support Mudryk and hope he can resume his football career soon.
His sale to Chelsea was a vital transaction for us.
Without the funds from the Mudryk transfer, I`m unsure how we would have resolved numerous issues.”
How long are drugs bans in football?
MYKHAILO MUDRYK could be banned for up to four years after failing a drugs test.
But what are the rules regarding drugs in football?
There is a big difference between recreational drugs and performance-enhancing substances.
Recreational drugs – such as cannabis, cocaine, heroin, LSD and MDMA – carry a six-month suspension.
However, this ban can increase to up to two years if a drug is detected when a player is tested after a match.
But performance-enhancing drugs carry a far more severe punishment.
And crucially the alleged drug Mudryk tested positive for, meldonium, falls under that category.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code`s standard ban is four years.
That is how long Paul Pogba was suspended for following his failed drugs test – although it was later reduced on appeal to 18 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The FA follows the UK Anti-Doping code under the WADA authority so will follow their lead and procedures.
Should Mudryk`s follow-up secondary `B` sample also test positive, he is likely to be hit with at least an 18-month ban but it could be as high as four years.
The only person in football currently banned on the UKAD sanctions list for anti-doping rule violations is Craig Campbell.
The former Scottish striker was banned for four years in December 2022 after being convicted of dealing cocaine.
