Enzo Maresca Stands by Mykhailo Mudryk: Believes Chelsea Forward is Innocent Despite Failed Drug Test

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has expressed complete faith in forward Mykhailo Mudryk, stating that he believes in his innocence despite the player being provisionally suspended by the Football Association for failing a drugs test. Maresca fully trusts his player and is standing by him during this difficult time.

The positive test was for the prohibited substance meldonium and Mudryk now faces a potential ban of up to four years under FA Rules.

The Ukraine international released a statement shortly after the news emerged, where he claimed he had "not done anything wrong" and his manager has now spoken on the matter, stating he trusts the winger and will support him through the process.

"Now the situation is a bit more clear, in terms of the statement, there is not anything to add," said Maresca ahead of the Europa Conference League match against Shamrock Rovers on Thursday.

"The club, coaching staff and everyone in the training ground will support him.

"General support. We trust him - when these kind of things happen, you need to support the player. He is a Chelsea player and is one of the players involved in the squad so it is my duty to be in contact with him. We are all there.

"It is not the first time this has happened. It will happen again for different players, they know exactly what they have to do and this is why we trust and support him."

When pushed for an answer on whether or not he believed Mudryk is innocent, Maresca added: "Exactly, yeah, it is like this. What Mycha said.

"We all believe that [Mudryk is innocent] then [after] we will see. I think he is going to come back, but for sure we don't know when."

Chelsea have launched their own investigation into the matter, with the player insisting the sample was contaminated after passing a drug test back in August and not changing any aspects of his diet since then.

FA rules dictate that once a player is informed of a positive test they must be provisionally suspended before a decision is taken on a formal charge. Mudryk has the opportunity during this period to provide an explanation for the result.

He is currently on an individual training programme at home, away from Cobham, and is said to be devastated by the news.

Tosin: Mudryk is family

Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo was also asked about the news surrounding Mudryk. where he revealed the squad found out at the same time as the rest of the footballing world, while also admitting the team will support him like a family member.

"It was news to all of us," he said. "We found out the same time as you. We support him.

"There is not much we can do but he is part of our family. It is something that can happen and we have to take precautions and be careful of what we are taking."

Anti-doping breaches are 'strict liability offences'

News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol:

"What's important in this case is the 'A' sample has tested positive. We are still waiting the result of the 'B' sample, so I think that is very important for Mykhailo Mudryk.

"He has missed the last five games for Chelsea. Enzo Maresca, when he has been asked about Mykhailo Mudryk's absence, has said that the player is ill. We know the player was genuinely ill with a virus.

"In the meantime, Chelsea have launched their own investigation - and it should be noted that the player did pass a routine anti-doping test in August.

"It's important to stress as well that anti-doping breaches are strict liability offences. That means you as a player are responsible for what is in your body. It does not matter how it got there - it is a strict liability offence.

"Mykhailo Mudryk himself has been on social media. He said that he is in a state of complete shock. He said he never knowingly used a banned substance, and he says he's done nothing wrong and hopes to be back on the pitch on soon.

"The player is confident he will be cleared because he feels has done nothing wrong and thinks there is strong evidence which supports his position."