Chelsea's Mykhailo Mudryk took polygraph to clear his name after doping ban

Shakhtar Donetsk’s chief executive, Sergei Palkin, has confirmed that Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk underwent a polygraph test as part of his efforts to clear his name following a doping suspension.

The suspension stems from an alleged violation during international duty with Ukraine last November.

Mudryk is currently provisionally suspended by the Football Association (FA) after an A-sample returned a positive result for meldonium, a banned substance.

The player denies knowingly ingesting the substance, although athletes are strictly liable for anything found in their system unless they can prove sabotage or identify flaws in the testing process.

If found guilty, Mudryk could face a ban of up to four years.

Mudryk, who made 44 appearances for Shakhtar Donetsk between 2018 and 2023, scoring 12 goals, joined Chelsea in January 2023 for a transfer fee of €70million, with an additional €30million in potential add-ons.

Shakhtar Donetsk stands to lose those add-ons if Mudryk is unable to play for Chelsea again.

“I have spoken to Mudryk many times since this doping issue arose,” said Palkin, speaking exclusively to GIVEMESPORT. “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.”

In January 2023, Mykhailo Mudryk was unveiled at Stamford Bridge during Chelsea’s 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace.

Draped in a Ukrainian flag, Mudryk was joined by Shakhtar Donetsk CEO Sergei Palkin and sporting director Darijo Srna, both of whom were present to witness the occasion.

The unveiling was not just about the player, but a moment for all of Ukraine to celebrate.

Mudryk’s transfer also had a profound impact beyond football.

A significant portion of the funds from the move was donated by Shakhtar’s owner, Rinat Akhmetov, to support humanitarian causes, directly benefiting thousands of Ukrainians affected by the ongoing war with Russia.

“Rinat Akhmetov gave €25m from the Mudryk sale to support our defence against Russia and provide aid to Ukrainians,” added Palkin.

“He is in love with our club and our country. Since the beginning of the war in 2022, Mr. Akhmetov has donated over €315m, which is the largest amount among all private Ukrainian companies or individuals.

“Mr. Akhmetov sets the tone, and under his leadership we are all one family, and will fight until the end.”