Chelsea's Mudryk faces 4-year ban after being charged for doping

Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has been charged by England's Football Association with violating anti-doping rules after failing a drugs test.

Mudryk has not played for Chelsea since Nov. 28 following his provisional suspension by the FA for an "adverse finding in a routine urine test" in December.

The Ukraine international at the time said he was in "complete shock" and he "never knowingly used any banned substances."

But Mudryk could face a potential ban of up to four years under FA rules.

Confirming the 24-year-old has been charged with the offence, an FA statement on Wednesday said: "We can confirm that Mykhailo Mudryk has been charged with anti-doping rule violations alleging the presence and/or use of a prohibited substance, in terms of regulations three and four of the FA's anti-doping regulations.

"As this is an ongoing case, we are not in a position to comment further at this time."

Signed from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023, Mudryk was reported to have had the prohibited performance enhancing substance meldonium in his positive test.

Chelsea launched their own investigation into the doping allegation last year and had been waiting for the results of the "B" sample test to support or contradict the initial 'A' results.

Earlier this month, Mudryk's No. 10 shirt was given to Cole Palmer for next season, leaving the Ukraine international without a squad number at Stamford Bridge.

The positive test was returned shortly after he had been away on international duty with Ukraine in November.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca initially said the winger was ill when asked to explain the four-game period he was absent from the team prior to the suspension being made public.

Mudryk last featured in the Chelsea squad as an unused substitute for their 3-0 Premier League win against Aston Villa on Dec. 1.

His time at Chelsea has been dogged by inconsistency, with erratic performances only occasionally off-set by flashes of his ability.

Mudryk has scored just 10 goals in 73 appearances in all competitions for the Blues.

He made only one Premier League start last season in a win over Wolves in August.