Mykhailo Mudryk's doping case: Lie detector passed as Shakhtar executive defends player's integrity

The Ukrainian international, who joined Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023 for a reported fee of 89 million pounds, has struggled to meet expectations at Stamford Bridge, having recorded five goals and four assists in 53 Premier League appearances. However, it is an off-pitch matter that has drawn significant attention in recent months.

In December 2024, the Football Association provisionally suspended Mudryk following an "adverse finding" in a routine urine test. Chelsea promptly released a statement affirming their support for both the FA's anti-doping programme and the player himself.

"Chelsea Football Club can confirm the Football Association recently contacted our player Mykhailo Mudryk concerning an adverse finding in a routine urine test," the club stated. "Mykhailo has confirmed categorically that he has never knowingly used any banned substances. Both Mykhailo and the club will now work with the relevant authorities to establish what has caused the adverse finding."

Mudryk also issued a public response, expressing his shock at the results and reiterating his innocence. "This has come as a complete shock as I have never knowingly used any banned substances or broken any rules," he wrote, noting that he is cooperating fully with legal and medical experts in order to determine the cause of the test result.

In a recent interview with GiveMeSport, Shakhtar Donetsk CEO Sergei Palkin provided additional context to Mudryk's defense, revealing that the player voluntarily underwent a lie detector test, the results of which, according to Palkin, supported Mudryk's claims of innocence.

"I have spoken to Mudryk many times since this doping issue arose," Palkin said. "He doesn't understand how it could have happened. He has no clue. 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."

The outcome of the B-sample analysis remains pending, and both the player and his representatives are continuing their efforts to determine the origin of the adverse substance. According to Palkin, the ramifications extend beyond the player and club, as Shakhtar is contractually tied to performance-based bonuses linked to Mudryk's appearances and achievements at Chelsea-bonuses which could reportedly amount to 30 million euros.

"Shakhtar, Chelsea and Mudryk are in the same boat," Palkin said. "We all support Mudryk and hope he is allowed to continue playing football soon."

Palkin also emphasized the broader humanitarian significance of the original transfer, noting that a portion of the fee from Mudryk's move to Chelsea - 25 million euros - was allocated to support Ukraine's defense against Russia and aid civilians affected by the ongoing war.

"Since the beginning of the war in 2022, Mr. Akhmetov (Shakhtar's owner) has donated over 315 million euros, which is the largest amount among all private Ukrainian companies or individuals," Palkin noted. "Selling Mudryk to Chelsea was a crucial deal for us. Without that fee, I don't know how we would have resolved many pressing issues."

As the investigation continues, the focus remains on clarifying the circumstances surrounding the failed test. Until definitive conclusions are drawn, Mudryk's playing status remains in limbo - but both his former and current clubs have publicly reiterated their support, underscoring a shared commitment to due process and transparency.