Mykhailo Mudryk hires law firm that got Paul Pogba's four-year ban reduced to 18 months as Chelsea star fights to prove his innocence after failing a drugs test
- It was confirmed on Tuesday that Mykhailo Mudryk has failed a drugs test
- He has reportedly hired the same firm that represented Paul Pogba
- LISTEN NOW: It's All Kicking Off! The reason why Pep Guardiola would walk from Manchester City
Chelsea star Mykhailo Mudryk has reportedly responded to failing a drugs test by hiring the law firm that got Paul Pogba's doping ban significantly reduced.
It was confirmed on Tuesday morning that Mudryk, 23, tested positive for the banned substance Meldonium last month, and he has been provisionally suspended by the FA.
Mudryk reacted to the news on social media by insisting that he has not done anything wrong, and he has now taken measures to try and prove his innocence.
Mail Sport understands Mudryk has hired the specialist firm Morgan Sports Law, who also represented former Manchester United star Pogba earlier this year.
Pogba was handed a four-year ban in February after failing a drugs test last August while he was playing for Juventus.
The World Cup winner appealed the decision, and with the help of Morgan Sports Law, his suspension was reduced to 18 months.
Chelsea's Mykhailo Mudryk has failed a drugs test and been provisionally suspended by the FA
He has reportedly hired the same law firm that got Paul Pogba's four-year doping ban reduced to 18 months
Pogba will now be able to return to football in March 2025, and has been teasing a comeback in recent days after terminating his Juventus contract last month.
Mudryk's 'B' sample is still yet to be tested, but he is facing the possibility of a four-year ban.
Meldonium has been on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s prohibited list since January 1, 2016.
Tennis star Maria Sharapova tested positive for the substance in 2016, and was susbequently handed a two-year ban.
But Mudryk has vowed to fight his case and try to get back on the pitch in the near future.
Posting on his Instagram account, Mudryk wrote: '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 insisted he has 'not done anything wrong' in a statement posted on Instagram
Chelsea also released their own statement that read: 'Chelsea Football Club can confirm the Football Association recently contacted our player Mykhailo Mudryk concerning an adverse finding in a routine urine test.
'Both the Club and Mykhailo fully support The FA’s testing programme and all our players, including Mykhailo, are regularly tested.
'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. The Club will not be commenting any further.'
