Shakhtar Donetsk CEO Sergei Palkin has confirmed that Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk is still awaiting the findings of his alleged violation of doping rules.
After a brief, unexplained absence in December, the 24-year-old was attacked after an expensive arrival from Shakhtar in January 2023, after failing to conduct drug tests during his international duties with Ukraine.
The second sample was called the “B sample” and since then everyone involved has been waiting for the results. In the case of Muderick, he denied intentional intake of any prohibited substance.
The wait seemed to move on, and Palkin confirmed that Mudryk spent a lot of time building a case to prove his innocence.
Palkin told Givemesport. “He didn't understand how this happened. He didn't know. He didn't know at all.
“So his lawyer organized the polygraph test he passed, which would form part of the evidence that he did not intentionally do anything wrong.
“Mudryk is very clear that his test is certainly not his fault. We need to figure out how this happened and who did it. His lawyer is working hard to find out. Still no results for sample B. Still nothing in sample B.
Shakhtar also has vested interests. There are connections from his move to Chelsea. If he doesn't play, this will cause us problems as we may lose €30 million (£25.8 million). So, Shakhtar, Chelsea, Chelsea and Mudryk, we are all one ship.
If Mudryk's B sample is positive, he will still face FIFA punishment, even if he can prove that he did not intentionally violate the rules. Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana was hit in February 2021 for a 12-month ban after accidentally ingesting a ban on substances, and subsequent appeals subsequently reduced the penalty to nine months.
Recently, Paul Pogba was awarded a standard four-year ban after testing positive in 2023. After subsequent appeals, this will be reduced to 18 months.
