Mykhailo Mudryk has been charged by the Football Association (FA) for doping offences and faces a lengthy ban.
Mudryk was suspended by the FA after failing a doping test last December.
He tested positive for the prohibited substance meldonium which was administered abroad when the Ukrainian winger was not on Chelsea duty.
According to a new report, Mudryk could be banned for as long as four years after providing a positive 'A' sample.
Advert
He was provisionally suspended while he and Chelsea waited for the results of a B sample and the FA have now confirmed that he has been charged, according to the Telegraph.
Under FA regulations, a positive doping test carries the potential punishment of a four-year ban.
An FA spokesperson told SPORTbible: "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 3 and 4 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."
Mudryk hired Morgan Sports Law to work on his case with Chelsea also providing support.
He denied knowingly breaking any rules as he expressed his shock at the positive doping result.
In a statement posted on Instagram at the time of the outcome of his doping test, the 24-year-old said: "I can confirm that I have been notified that a sample I provided to The FA contained a banned substance.
“This has come as a complete shock as I have never knowingly used any banned substances or broken any rules, and am working closely with my team to investigate how this could have happened.
"I know that I have not done anything wrong and remain hopeful that I will be back on the pitch soon. I cannot say any more now due to the confidentiality of the process, but I will as soon as I can."
Mudryk joined Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk in a deal worth up to £88.5 million.
He has largely failed to impress since moving to Stamford Bridge in January 2023, scoring 10 goals in 73 games across all competitions.
SPORTbible has contacted Mykhailo Mudryk's agency and the FA.
Topics: Chelsea, Mykhailo Mudryk, Football
Nasir Jabbar