Ukrainian football star Mudryk learns B‑sample result - See what's at stake
Mudryk tested positive for doping after playing for the national team (photo: Getty Images)
In England, the "B" doping sample of the Ukraine national team and Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has been tested, according to The Athletic.
What the second sample showed
British journalists said the "B" sample also returned a positive result. It means the presence of a banned substance in the Ukrainian player’s body is confirmed.
This is likely the reason behind the official charge from the English Football Association (FA), which the player received yesterday.
The media information is still unofficial. Representatives of the FA and Mudryk are refraining from commenting, citing the ongoing investigation.
Mudryk's doping case: what is known
In December of last year, banned substance meldonium — a performance-enhancing drug — was found in Mudryk's "A" sample.
According to British media, the positive doping test occurred after Mudryk played for the Ukrainian national team in November, when he played in Nations League matches against Georgia (1:1) and Albania (2:1).
Mudryk was provisionally suspended from football pending the "B" sample test result. For a time, the case stalled. However, on June 18, the FA officially charged the Ukrainian player.
What punishment offender faces
If the positive result of the "B" sample is confirmed, Mudryk faces a lengthy suspension, up to 4 years.
The 24-year-old player denies the charges. He is currently working with the prominent legal firm Morgan Sports Law, which previously handled the appeal in a similar case involving Paul Pogba. The French midfielder succeeded in reducing his suspension from four years to 18 months.
Recently, well-known Ukrainian track and field athlete Maryna Bekh-Romanchuk was also caught in a doping scandal and suspended from competition.
Ukrainian shot putter Roman Kokoshko has also been accused of using a banned substance and received a lengthy suspension.
