MYKHAILO MUDRYK has passed a lie detector test in a bid to clear his name as a drugs cheat, it is claimed.
The troubled Chelsea star is currently suspended while awaiting a further result on a urine sample which tested positive for the banned substance meldonium.
APMykhailo Mudryk has not played for Chelsea since November[/caption]
Mudryk signed from Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk two years ago and the CEO of his former club says the player underwent a Polygraph test organised by his lawyers.
Sergei Palkin said: “I have spoken to Mudryk many times since this doping issue arose.
“He doesn’t understand how it could have happened. He has no clue. No idea at all.
“So his lawyers organised for him to take a lie detector test, which he passed. It will form part of the evidence showing he didn’t intentionally do anything wrong.
“Mudryk has been clear, it’s not his fault that he tested positive. We now need to find out how this has happened, and who did this. His lawyers are trying to find out.”
Unknowingly taking banned substances is no defence and Mudryk faces a ban of up to four years.
He has not played since November 28 last year when he scored for Chelsea against Germans Heidenheim in the Conference League.
Traces of meldonium were discovered in a routine urine sample submitted while on international duty.
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Palkin admits his club is on Mudryk’s side because they are still owed money as part of the transfer deal which could rise to £88m with add ons but only if he plays regularly.
Mudryk, 24, has disappeared from public view since news broke of him failing a drugs test. He has not been seen at Chelsea’s training ground for months.
Ukrainian football has been ravaged by the invasion of neighbours Russia in 2022, leaving many clubs in dire financial straits.
Palkin told GiveMeSport: “There are still no results from the B-sample, so that remains open. Nobody knows what’s happened. I wish Mudryk all the best. He’s a top professional and a very good person. He should be protected.
“Shakhtar also has a vested interest. There are bonuses from his move to Chelsea linked to his performances.
“If he’s not playing, it causes problems for us because we could potentially lose €30m (£25m). So Shakhtar, Chelsea and Mudryk, we are in one boat. We all support Mudryk, and hope he is allowed to continue playing football soon.
“Selling Mudryk to Chelsea was a crucial deal for us.
“Without the Mudryk fee, I don’t understand how we would have settled many, many, many issues.”
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How long are drugs bans in football?
By SunSport’s Joshua Jones
MYKHAILO MUDRYK could be banned for up to four years after failing a drugs test
But what are the rules regarding drugs in football?
There is a big difference between recreational drugs and performance-enhancing substances.
Recreational drugs – such as cannabis, cocaine, heroin, LSD and MDMA – carry a six-month suspension.
However, this ban can increase to up to two years if a drug is detected when a player is tested after a match.
But performance-enhancing drugs carry a far more severe punishment.
And crucially the alleged drug Mudryk tested positive for, meldonium, falls under that category.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code’s standard ban is four years.
That is how long Paul Pogba was suspended for following his failed drugs test – although it was later reduced on appeal to 18 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The FA follows the UK Anti-Doping code under the WADA authority so will follow their lead and procedures.
Should Mudryk’s follow-up secondary ‘B’ sample also test positive, he is likely to be hit with at least an 18-month ban but it could be as high as four years.
The only person in football currently banned on the UKAD sanctions list for anti-doping rule violations is Craig Campbell.
The former Scottish striker was banned for four years in December 2022 after being convicted of dealing cocaine.
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