JUST IN: Chelsea assigns blame following Mykhailo Mudryk’s failing drug test.

It has been confirmed that Mykhailo Mudryk tested positive for a banned substance, following official statements from both the player and Chelsea Football Club.

Overnight reports from Mudryk’s native Ukraine revealed that the 23-year-old failed a doping test and could face a ban of up to four years. Chelsea later released a statement on Tuesday morning addressing the matter.

The club said: “Chelsea Football Club can confirm that the Football Association recently contacted our player Mykhailo Mudryk regarding an adverse finding in a routine urine test.

“Both the Club and Mykhailo fully support The FA’s testing programme, and all our players, including Mykhailo, are regularly tested. Mykhailo has categorically stated that he has never knowingly used any banned substances. Both the player and the Club will work closely with the relevant authorities to determine the cause of the adverse finding.

“The Club will not be making any further comments on this matter.”

New details about Mudryk’s case have since emerged. Mirror Football understands that the incident occurred while Mudryk was on international duty in November. Sources at Chelsea maintain that the event did not take place under their watch.

Mudryk reportedly tested positive for meldonium, the same substance for which former Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova was banned in 2016. Meldonium is known to enhance endurance and aid recovery but is not available in Western Europe. Chelsea are currently investigating how Mudryk may have come into contact with the substance.

Sharapova initially received a 24-month ban, later reduced to 15 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport after an appeal.

Mudryk has not played for Chelsea since scoring in a Europa Conference League match last month and has been absent from the squad since the game against Aston Villa at the start of December.

The player also issued a personal statement, asserting he “never knowingly” used any prohibited substance. On Instagram, he wrote: “I can confirm that I have been notified that a sample I provided to The FA contained a banned substance.”