What happened to Mykhailo Mudryk? What is meldonium, what does it mean for him, and when did he last play?

On December 17, 2024, Chelsea officially confirmed a positive doping test for winger Mykhailo Mudryk. The Dailysports team has compiled all the key details surrounding the situation.

What happened?

Mudryk’s doping samples tested positive for a banned substance. Official sources have not specified which substance or when it occurred. However, according to The Athletic, the Ukrainian failed a doping test after a national team match in November. The substance found in his sample was meldonium.

What is meldonium?

Meldonium was synthesized in the 1970s in Latvia and has been widely used in the former USSR. Its effectiveness is not officially proven, but it has been heavily utilized by Russian and Ukrainian Olympians. Notably, meldonium is not used at all in European countries or the United States.

Since January 1, 2016, meldonium has been classified as a banned substance due to its "manufacturer-claimed effectiveness," potential health risks for athletes, and its widespread use in one specific region.

WADA classifies meldonium as a metabolic modulator similar to insulin. It is primarily recommended for treating ischemic heart disease, chronic heart failure, alcohol withdrawal syndrome, and reduced physical performance, especially under heavy athletic strain.

How have Chelsea and Mudryk responded to the allegations?

Chelsea issued a brief statement confirming the Football Association's communication regarding Mudryk's positive doping test. Both the club and the player have pledged full cooperation with the relevant authorities.

“Chelsea Football Club can confirm that the FA has recently contacted our player Mykhailo Mudryk regarding an adverse finding in a routine urine sample. Both the club and Mykhailo fully support the FA's testing program, and all our players, including Mykhailo, are regularly tested.

Mykhailo categorically confirmed that he has never knowingly taken any banned substances. Both Mykhailo and the club will now work with the relevant authorities to determine the cause of the adverse finding.”

Mudryk personally addressed the situation, denying any wrongdoing and expressing hope for a quick return to the pitch:

“I can confirm that I have been notified that a sample I provided to the FA contained a banned substance. This came as a complete shock to me, as I have never knowingly taken any banned substances or broken any rules.

I am working closely with my team to investigate how this could have happened. I know I have done nothing wrong, and I hope to return to the field soon. At this time, I cannot say more due to the confidentiality of the process, but I will speak when I am able.”

What punishment could Mudryk face?

The outcome depends on the stance Mudryk and his representatives take during the investigation. According to Yevhen Pronin, former president of Ukraine's Athletics Federation, if Mudryk cooperates with WADA and waives the opening of his B sample, this could be seen as a mitigating factor, and the suspension may range from 6 to 12 months.

However, if Mudryk insists on opening the B sample and it confirms the result of the A sample, he could face a ban of up to four years. Such cases rarely see the B sample differ from the A sample.

Logically, Mudryk's official suspension from football began as soon as the positive doping test was recognised.

When did Mudryk last play?

Mudryk last appeared on the pitch on November 10 in a 1-1 draw against Arsenal. He was subsequently named in Chelsea’s squad twice but has been absent since December 4. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca explained Mudryk's absence at the time as being due to illness.