Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has addressed the charges against his player, Mykhailo Mudryk, for alleged anti-doping violations.

The Ukrainian star has been charged by the Football Association (FA) for breaching anti-doping rules after failing a drugs test and is facing a four-year ban.

The 24-year-old winger was provisionally suspended in December 2024 after an "adverse finding in a routine urine test". He has not played a match since.

Players found guilty of using prohibited substances face the possibility of a ban of up to four years.

"This has come as a complete shock as I have never knowingly used any banned substances or broken any rules, and I'm working closely with my team to investigate how this could have happened," Mudryk wrote on Instagram.

"I know that I have not done anything wrong and remain hopeful that I will be back on the pitch soon."

FA rules state that players have the right to request an analysis of the B sample.

Should the B sample confirm the adverse finding, formal charges will be brought. Players can either accept the charges or request a hearing.

His boss, Enzo Maresca, who is currently with Chelsea at the Club World Cup in the USA, stated that he hasn't spoken to the player following the latest news.

"Mischa is a Chelsea player and - as a Chelsea player - I trust all the Chelsea players," said Maresca, via BBC Sport. I spoke with Mischa at the Conference League final in Poland but I haven't spoken to him since."

"When I spoke to him he was quite good, I didn't see him worried or not good, he was good and okay but I haven't spoken to him since that day so I don't know how he is now."

Mudryk signed for Chelsea in January 2023 and remains the club's seventh-most expensive signing. He has scored just 10 goals in 73 appearances for the Blues.

@CFCMods:

"We gave Mudryk a prison contract he’ll still have 4 years after serving his ban I’m on the floor 😭."

@realandsiberian:

"Scrolling through the feed — everyone feels sorry for Mudryk. Yeah, it’s sad. He gave his life to football and it all collapsed. But let’s be honest — a professional should know what they’re taking. He let down himself and the club. This isn’t just bad luck. It’s on him."

@nn2rd:

"Will forever die on the hill Mudryk was about to explode before his ban."

@BlueCoProject

Last time a Mudryk-type situation happened to Chelsea, it was with Adrian Mutu. Guess what Cheslea did? They sued Adrian Mutu for the cost of his transfer fee. I expect Chelsea to be RUTHLESS with this."

Earlier, reported that Paul Pogba is close to joining Monaco after nearly two years without football action.

The World Cup winner was banned for years for a positive drug test, but it was later reduced to 18 months.

He was available to play since March and has been building his fitness to be ready. Monaco will play Champions League football next season.

Source: TUKO.co.ke