Mykhailo Mudryk has passed a lie detector test in an effort to clear his name after he received a doping ban earlier this season.
The 23-year-old has been provisionally suspended after an analysis of a urine sample taken as part of a test conducted in the UK in the autumn detected the presence of the banned substance.
Mudryk, whose last appearance for Chelsea came back on November, believes the adverse finding was the result of a contaminated supplement.
The former Shakhtar Donetsk star is facing a ban of up to four years and the strain he is currently under was encapsulated by his most recent social media update in the build-up to last weekend’s west London derby when he posted a tear emoji in response to a video package of his matchwinning performance in last season’s corresponding fixture.
According to Shakhtar chief executive Sergei Palkin, Mudryk remains at a loss as to how traces of Meldonium ended up in his system and has gone to extreme lengths to prove his innocence.
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‘I have spoken to Mudryk many times since this doping issue arose,’ said Palkin, speaking 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.
‘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.
What Mykhailo Mudryk has said about his ban
‘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.’
‘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. So Shakhtar, Chelsea and Mudryk, we are in one boat.
‘We all support Mudryk, and hope he is allowed to continue playing football soon.’