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      Drug that Chelsea star Mykhailo Mudryk allegedly took is same one Maria Sharapova was banned for

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      THE drug Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk is alleged to have taken is the same one that saw Maria Sharapova slapped with a lengthy ban from tennis.Mudryk, 23, has been provisionally suspended from football after failing a drugs test.Mykhailo Mudryk has failed a drugs testCredit: GettyThe Chelsea star is alleged to have taken the same drug that saw Maria Sharapova banned in 2016Credit: AFPThe winger returned a positive result for an A-sample in late October and now awaits the answer from a decisive B-sample.Reports in his homeland of Ukraine say meldonium has been found in Mudryk’s system.The performance-enhancing drug makes the body “use oxygen sparingly and restore energy quickly”.It has been described as a “metabolic modulator” that “modifies how some hormones accelerate or slow down to different enzymatic reactions in the body”.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLMeldonium was banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency in 2016.Tennis legend Sharapova was initially banned for two years after testing positive for it soon after it was added to the prohibited list.An an appeal saw her suspension reduced to 15 months.Sharapova revealed she had been taking meldonium for ten years due to health issues and did not realise it had become a banned substance.Most read in FootballIn another high-profile case, Russian boxer Alexander Povetkin also tested positive in 2016 and it led to his bout against Deontay Wilder being called off.He was later cleared following a second test.Chelsea player ratings vs BrentfordIn recent years, four-year bans for it have been dished out to wrestler Tamerlan Tagziev, Olympic curling bronze medallist Alexander Krushelnitskiy, canoeing star Oleksandr Senkevych and gaelic football ace Ray Walker.Kazakh footballer Aybol Abiken was banned for three years in 2022 after he took meldonium.Mudryk insists he is innocent, writing on Instagram: “This has come as a complete shock as I have NEVER knowingly used any banned substances or broken any rules.”I 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.”How long are drugs bans in football?By SunSport’s Joshua JonesMYKHAILO MUDRYK could be banned for up to four years after failing a drugs testBut what are the rules regarding drugs in football?There is a big difference between recreational drugs and performance-enhancing substances.Recreational drugs – such as cannabis, cocaine, heroin, LSD and MDMA – carry a six-month suspension.However, this ban can increase to up to two years if a drug is detected when a player is tested after a match.But performance-enhancing drugs carry a far more severe punishment.And crucially the alleged drug Mudryk tested positive for, meldonium, falls under that category.The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code’s standard ban is four years.That is how long Paul Pogba was suspended for following his failed drugs test – although it was later reduced on appeal to 18 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.The FA follows the UK Anti-Doping code under the WADA authority so will follow their lead and procedures.Should Mudryk’s follow-up secondary ‘B’ sample also test positive, he is likely to be hit with at least an 18-month ban but it could be as high as four years.The only person in football currently banned on the UKAD sanctions list for anti-doping rule violations is Craig Campbell.The former Scottish striker was banned for four years in December 2022 after being convicted of dealing cocaine. Maria Sharapova claims she took the drug for years due to health issues and did not realise it became bannedCredit: Splash More

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      European Super League is BACK in new £2.7BILLION ‘Unify League’ format… and it could replace Champions League

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      A NEW version of the breakaway Super League has been launched.More than three years after the original idea crashed and burned in the space of 48 hours after a fan-led backlash, scheme promoters A22 have returned with a concept that answers many of the initial problems.Fans protested the previous Super League proposalCredit: APThe protests were successful in stopping the plans coming to fruitionCredit: GettyUnder the new model, named “The Unify League”, 96 teams in total would take part.There would be 16 teams, split into two groups of eight and playing each opponent home and away, in both the top tier Star League and the secondary Gold League.Follow the LATEST REACTION to the Unify LeagueThen two further competitions – Blue and Union – would each have FOUR leagues of eight clubs.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe Premier League would have three guaranteed entrants in the elite competition, with two places in the second one and up to five further slots across the remaining pair.Unlike the first and widely criticised Super League concept, which saw the 12 breakaway rebels – including the Prem Big Six – guaranteed entry, all positions will be earned by domestic performances in the previous campaign.Two places in the Star League, and seven in Gold, will be earned through a series of play-off rounds, with the winners of the two competitions earning automatic places in the top tier for the following season.A22 envisages the 14 league phase games being played between September and April.Most read in FootballThe top four in each group would then reach a two-legged quarter-final stage, with the winners progressing to a “final four” week of one-off matches to provide the winners.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHow does the Unify League work?A NEW version of the European Super League has been proposed – now branded as the Unify League. Here’s all you need to know about how it works…Who plays in it?The proposed competition would see 96 teams from across Europe taking part each year.All positions will be earned by performances in domestic competitions the previous campaign – just as it currently is with the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League.What’s the format?There would be FOUR leagues: Star League, Gold League, Blue League and Union League.The top two divisions, Star and Gold, would each have 16 teams in them, split into two groups of eight.The groups of eight would play each other home and away, a total of 14 matches per club each season.The bottom two divisions, Blue and Union, would have 32 teams each, split into four groups of eight.They would also play each other home and away.In the Star and Gold leagues, the top four of each group would play a two-legged quarter-final.In the Blue and Union, it would be the top two teams from each group making up the quarter-finals.The winners of those matches would then progress to a “final four” week of one off matches to provide the champions of the four different leagues. Those games would be played on a neutral ground.How many English teams will take part?The Premier League would have three guaranteed entrants in the Star League.Two English teams would go into the Gold League.Up to five further slots for Prem teams would be spread across the remaining pair.While no formal start date has been set, SunSport understands that there is a provisional target of competition launch in September 2026.The prize fund is also yet to be confirmed but A22 – which is firmly linked to the ambitions of Real Madrid President Florentino Perez – promise £330m in “solidarity” payments to smaller clubs and countries while the total prize pot is expected to exceed the current fund of £2bn for the Champions League and £700m for the Europa and Conference Leagues combined.SunSport’s Jordan Davies reacts to first Champions League draw under radical new formatThe new overall title of the four competitions is a nod to the plan to show matches on a direct-to-fan streaming service called the Unify platform.While fans will have to sign up, there will be two versions available – an advertisement-supported free portal to watch games plus a subscription service with extra features.A22 said it will “dramatically improve the viewing experience at home by eliminating the need for multiple subscriptions while offering fans the advanced features they have come to expect and directly connect clubs with their global fanbase”.The launch comes as A22 said it had made a formal submission to Uefa and Fifa to “obtain official recognition for its new cross-border European club football competitions”.The Madrid-based company cited the December 2023 ruling of the European Court of Justice which stated that “any competition where qualification is inclusive and meritocratic, and which complies with the overall match calendar can be officially established”.A22 representatives have criss-crossed Europe to talk to clubs in the aftermath of the failure of the first project – which saw then-PM Boris Johnson promise a “legislative bombshell” to prevent English clubs from joining.Measures to block clubs from joining any breakaway competition are included as part of the Government’s new Independent Football Regulator, currently going through Parliament and backed by all major parties.But the new competition seeks to supplant Uefa and be club-run – in much the same way as the Premier League was set up more than 30 years ago.A22 chief executive Bernd Reichart said: “A22 is focused on ensuring the sustainable growth and development of football.“Our extensive engagement with key stakeholders revealed a number of pressing challenges facing the sport including increasing subscription costs for fans, an overloaded player calendar, insufficient investment in women’s football, and dissatisfaction with the format and governance of the current pan-European competitions.“Our proposal is designed to directly address these challenges.”Will the Unify League get off the ground?By Martin LiptonThe biggest complaint about the original European Super League was it was a closed shop.But the Unify League proposal would see teams qualify on merit, just as they do for the current Champions League, Europa League and Conference League.But whether people accept it is another matter.Many people will still think this is just another version of the same old thing, the rich wanting to get richer.Maybe that’s right, but I can see the appeal for the clubs here – one of which will be a prize fund much bigger than what is currently offered for competing in Europe.I think there’s a genuine chance that this could be the first thing that brings down the UEFA dominance of club competitions.But there are a lot of obstacles in the way.It’s proposed that it could start in September 2026.I don’t believe it can be as quick as 18 months, but money talks.We are into uncharted territory.This is very different from April 2021 when the whole thing crashed and burned so quickly.This could be real.This could happen and if it did, would change the face of football.Fans remain sceptical of the idea and have voiced their concerns.One said: “Perez doesn’t take no for an answer, does he???”Another added: “Rubbish, no-one wants this. Stop this nonsense now.”READ MORE SUN STORIESA third wrote: “Massive waste of everyone’s time. As useless as the new World Club Cup. Stop trying to please faceless clubs. Fans wants competitive local football.”And another commented: “At least the Super League sounded good. This is awful marketing.” More

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      Barcelona’s £50million signing Dani Olmo could be BANNED from playing for club and forced to leave in free transfer

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      DANI OLMO is set to be banned from playing for Barcelona — which could see him leave on a free transfer.Olmo, 26, only joined the Spanish giants in August in a £50million deal from RB Leipzig.Dani Olmo could be banned from playing for Barcelona, which would see him leave on a free transferCredit: RexThe La Masia graduate was seen as a major coup for Barcelona following his star turn for winners Spain at Euro 2024.However, Olmo was unable to be registered by his new club due to their ongoing financial issues.And the playmaker was forced to miss Barcelona’s first two matches of the season before getting an unlikely reprieve.A long-term injury to defender Andreas Christensen allowed Hansi Flick’s side to register Olmo as an emergency player.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd he has since gone on to score six goals and provide one assist in 14 matches, helping his side top the LaLiga table.However, Olmo’s temporary registration expires at the end of the year.It means Barcelona have to find a way to get him in their squad officially.And if they cannot find a solution, Olmo will effectively be banned from playing for his boyhood club.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAccording to the Athletic, that then opens the door for the midfielder to sensationally quit Barcelona on a free transfer.It’s reckoned Olmo was aware of the registration issue when he returned to Catalonia.Ian Wright convinced Spain star Dani Olmo is ‘taking the micky out of us’ with pre-Euro 2024 final gestureAnd as part of the deal, a clause was inserted in his contract allowing Olmo to leave Barcelona for free in January should he be unable to play.The title hopefuls now have until December 31 to either make some sales or drastically increase their revenue, as they are not allowed to re-register Olmo for a second time.But sporting director Deco is confident the superstar will still be a Barca player come the end of the month.He said: “Yes of course (we will register Olmo properly). We’re working on it and everyone is calm.“There are internal issues at the club. Don’t worry, we’ll fix it. The player is calm, don’t worry.”Barcelona reportedly hope to solve the issue imminently after agreeing a new kit deal with Nike.However, it must first be approved through a members’ vote, due to go ahead on December 21.READ MORE SUN STORIESShould that fall through, Barcelona are also reportedly looking to sell the rights to their VIP boxes at the Nou Camp.And the final option is for a board member to “put up a personal guarantee”, with neither Barcelona or Olmo even thinking about a potential exit in January. More

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      Cole Palmer a must-have asset now his only drawback has been negated by the schedule

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      HERE at Dream Team HQ we try to avoid overly declarative statements.But we’re happy to brand Cole Palmer (£6.3m) a must-have player for the festive period.Dream Team’s most popular player!Credit: Dream TeamIt could be argued that Chelsea’s talisman has been essential since Gameweek 1 given he’s already racked up 174 points via 11 goals and seven assists this season.But there was one frustrating drawback that limited his viability throughout the first four months of the campaign — his comparatively relaxed workload.Enzo Maresca has opted to rotate his squad extensively in the additional competitions to keep his key players fresh for the Premier League.This strategy has worked superbly so far with the Blues now just two points behind league-leaders Liverpool, albeit having played an extra game.The likes of Palmer, Nicolas Jackson (£4.2m) and Moises Caicedo (£3.5m) have watched Chelsea’s Conference League adventures from the comfort of their sofas, keeping their overall minutes in check.Jackson has excelled in the leagueCredit: GettyWhile this has undoubtedly been beneficial in terms of warding off fatigue, it has meant the West Londoners’ star performers have not added points to their tally in midweek.Hence why Jackson is ranked just 11th among Dream Team strikers despite the fact he’s score nine goals in 15 league outings this term.In fact, the Senegal international averages 8.1 points-per-game, a rate bettered by only Mohamed Salah (£7.6m) and Erling Haaland (£8.4m) among players in his position, but he’s outside the top ten in terms of total points because he’s only played in the league.Most read in FootballMeanwhile, Kai Havertz (£4.7m), Cody Gakpo (£4.3m), Ollie Watkins (£5.5m) and others have all notched regular points in the Champions League, with Dominic Solanke (£4.2m) having banked 32 points in the Europa League so far.Palmer’s minutes have been managed this seasonCredit: RexIncredibly, Palmer is ranked second among midfielders and fourth overall despite the fact he has been limited to 16 league appearances.For comparison, Bukayo Saka (£6.9m), the game’s leading midfielder right now, has made 22 appearances in the same time frame.Chelsea’s No20 boasts the highest points-per-game average (10.9) among all players this season and so it’s logical to assert that he, not Salah, would be the top performer if every player fulfilled the same number of games.It’s crucial Dream Team bosses understand that this hypothetical level playing field is about to become a reality.Score PredictorPlay Score Predictor with Dream Team this season!FREE to play£250 weekly prizePredict scores of five selected Premier League fixtures and earn points for accuracyMost points wins weekly cash prizePLAY NOWThe European competitions are about to be put on hold for the festive period, meaning all 20 top flight clubs have the same number of fixtures across the next two Gameweeks.Not only that, Chelsea’s schedule appears rather favourable with Everton, Fulham, Ipswich and Crystal Palace to play between now and January 4th – three of those four opponents are currently in the bottom six of the table.The first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals are due to take place in Gameweek 18 which will give four teams an additional fixture over Maresca’s side in early January but generally speaking it’s the perfect time to back Palmer now the only negative factor has been temporarily erased.And who knows, maybe the 22 year-old superstar will be added to Chelsea’s Conference League squad for the knockout phase?READ MORE SUN STORIESChelsea’s form players should be popular recruits this weekCredit: GettyWe wouldn’t be so bold to declare Jackson a must-have asset but he’s certainly a great option for the remainder of the year as well.At the time of writing, Palmer is the second-most recruited player ahead of Gameweek 16 and he’s now the most selected individual in the game with an ownership of 60.3%, marginally ahead of Haaland on 60%.BetMGM sign up offerBetMGM: Get £40 in free bets — HERE**New cust only. 7 days to opt in by placing a £10 qualifying bet at 1/1 (2.0) odds or greater to receive 4x Free Bets: 1 x £10 horse racing, 1 x £10 Bet Builder, 1 x £10 Acca and 1 x £10 football. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs apply.Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org More

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      Arsenal legend Ian Wright, 61, falls down stairs and needs medical treatment just weeks after knee replacement surgery

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      IAN WRIGHT needed medical treatment after falling down the stairs on Monday.The Arsenal legend, 61, was in Switzerland to help host the Women’s Euros draw.Ian Wright fell down stairs after hosting the Women’s Euros draw in SwitzerlandCredit: GettyWright used a wheelchair immediately after the knee replacement surgeryCredit: X / alanshearerBut things took a worrying turn at the Swiss Tech Convention Centre.Wright slipped and tumbled down the staircase – just weeks after undergoing surgery.And he needed to be helped by World Cup legends Leonardo Bonucci and Sami Khedira.As reported by the Daily Mail, it is understood Wright was given an ice pack and was not seriously injured in the fall. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThankfully, he managed to board his flight back to Manchester as planned on Tuesday morning, when he shared a smiling photo on his Instagram story sat in front of a skiing snowman. Wright had knee replacement surgery seven weeks ago.That left him in a wheelchair as pal Roy Keane pushed him around the Stick To Football podcast studio. Fellow star Jill Scott joked the pair resembled a duo from TV sketch show Little Britain. Most read in FootballAlan Shearer also took a dig at his immobile friend when they worked together for the Premier League on the day Newcastle beat Arsenal last month. As Shearer gloated after the victory, a smiling Wright wheeled past and said: “F*** off. F***ing shut your mouth.” ‘F—ing shut your mouth’ – Ian Wright in X-rated rant at giggling Alan Shearer after Newcastle stun ArsenalBut less than two months later, Wright managed to stand on his feet for long periods to present the Women’s Euros draw.Many in attendance were impressed by his stamina so soon after the major operation. Bonucci and Khedira were joined by Scott, Raphael Varane and Xherdan Shaqiri in Lausanne on the shores of Lake Geneva for the draw. In it, defending champions England were pitted with the Netherlands, France and debutants Wales in a brutal Group D. Wright spent much of his time in Switzerland on his feetCredit: GettyVarious star names were involved in the drawCredit: GettyWright used crutches during an episode of Stick To FootballCredit: YouTubeWright shared a video on his Instagram on Tuesday morningCredit: Instagram More

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      Wolves ‘AGREE deal to appoint new head coach’ just days after sacking Gary O’Neil

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      WOLVES have agreed a deal with Vitor Pereira to take over as manager, according to reports.Gary O’Neil was sacked by the club on Sunday following a defeat to Ipswich.Wolves have agreed a deal with Vitor PereiraCredit: GettyGary O’Neil was sacked on Sunday by Ipswich on SundayCredit: APBut Wolves have wasted no time in deciding who they want to replace him and have now agreed a deal with Pereira, according to Sky Sports News.Next they will have to agree a compensation package with his current club Al-Shabab, with negotiations understood to be ongoing.Pereira is set to fly over to England this week and could take training ahead of the match against Leicester, with Wolves hoping to confirm his appointment in the next 48 hours.Pereira only joined the Saudi Pro League side in February and led them to an eighth-placed finish last season.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe has continued that success this season with his side sixth in the league after picking up seven wins in 13 games.Pereira, 56, will provide plenty of experience at Molineux having managed 13 clubs in his career.He has won six trophies including two titles with Porto, and league wins in Greece and China with Olympiacos and Shanghai SIPG.His knack for discipline and “emotional understanding” are reportedly characteristics which appeal to Wolves.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSPereira has never managed in the Premier League but came close to joining Everton in January 2022.He interviewed for the job but many fans didn’t believe he was the right man for the Toffees.Fans even protested his prospective appointment, including a spraypainted message that read ‘Pereira out, Frank [Lampard] In”.Those supporters got their wish but Lampard was a disaster and was sacked just short of reaching a year in the job.Wolves players and staff clashing with one another after full-time More

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      Mykhailo Mudryk and Chelsea break silence on failed drugs test after £88million star is suspended from football

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      BOTH Chelsea and Mykhailo Mudryk have broken their silence following the winger’s provisional suspension from football.The Ukrainian star failed a drugs test after providing a positive result with an A-sample in late October.Mykhailo Mudryk has broken his silence after being provisionally suspended from footballThe 23-year-old winger, who arrived at Stamford Bridge in January 2023 for a fee that could rise to £88million, insists that he never knowingly broke any rules.Mudryk wrote on Instagram this morning: “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.READ MORE ON CHELSEA“I cannot say any more now due to the confidentiality of the process, but I will as soon as I can.”Mudryk and Chelsea are now said to be awaiting the result of the B-sample, which will confirm the original test if it also comes back positive.Tribuna claims Mudryk has tested positive for meldonium, a banned metabolic substance similar to insulin.It can apparently allow the body to “use oxygen sparingly and quickly restore energy to prepare for new loads of physical stress.”Most read in FootballMeldonium is widely used in Eastern Europe and has been on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s banned list since 2016.But if confirmed, the 23-year-old could face a ban of up to four-years from football.Mykhailo Mudryk reveals his cheat meal and best Chelsea pals in Q&A Chelsea meanwhile shared a statement on Tuesday morning, writing: “We can confirm the FA 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.”Mudryk is a Ukraine internationalWhat drug did Mudryk take?By SunSport’s Joshua JonesMYKHAILO MUDRYK returned a positive sample for a drugs test in October.The Chelsea winger could face a ban for up to four years – because the drug was a performance-enhancing substance.It is alleged Mudryk had the drug meldonium in his system.Meldonium – aka mildronate – is a metabolic modulator similar to insulin and is widely used in Eastern Europe.It is used in heart disease therapy but is also claimed to enable athletes to withstand greater stress, use oxygen more sparingly and restore energy levels quickly.Meldonium was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency banned list in January 2016 following its high prevalence at the 2015 European Games in Baku.Just months later, former tennis world No1 and Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova was banned for two years by the International Tennis Federation – although this was later cut to 15 months on appeal.Sharapova had been taking the drug for ten years for various health issues and claimed she was unaware it had been added to the banned list.Also in 2016, Russian boxer Alexander Povetkin was found to have traces of meldonium in his system before he was due to fight fellow heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder.Mudryk has not played since scoring in the 2-0 Conference League win at Heindenheim on November 28.He has also not been in a match-day squad since the 3-0 win over Aston Villa in the Premier League on December 1.And the official reason given for Mudryk’s absence by his club is that he has been ill.Mudryk has not been seen training at Cobham in the interim.  SunSport has reached out to Mudryk’s agent for comment.FA rules state that a player notified of a test result can then be provisionally suspended. They then have the chance to respond with an explanation before a decision is made on a potential charge. Mudryk is known to have undergone a test in August which was clear and insists he had not changed his behaviour since.Enzo Maresca will next speak to reporters on Wednesday ahead of Chelsea’s Europa Conference League clash with Shamrock Rovers on Thursday evening, with Chelsea hosting an open training on the same day at 3pm.  How long are drugs bans in football?By SunSport’s Joshua JonesMYKHAILO MUDRYK could be banned for up to four years after failing a drugs testBut what are the rules regarding drugs in football?There is a big difference between recreational drugs and performance-enhancing substances.Recreational drugs – such as cannabis, cocaine, heroin, LSD and MDMA – carry a six-month suspension.However, this ban can increase to up to two years if a drug is detected when a player is tested after a match.But performance-enhancing drugs carry a far more severe punishment.And crucially the alleged drug Mudryk tested positive for, meldonium, falls under that category.The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code’s standard ban is four years.That is how long Paul Pogba was suspended for following his failed drugs test – although it was later reduced on appeal to 18 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.The FA follows the UK Anti-Doping code under the WADA authority so will follow their lead and procedures.Should Mudryk’s follow-up secondary ‘B’ sample also test positive, he is likely to be hit with at least an 18-month ban but it could be as high as four years.The only person in football currently banned on the UKAD sanctions list for anti-doping rule violations is Craig Campbell.The former Scottish striker was banned for four years in December 2022 after being convicted of dealing cocaine. Two decades ago, the Blues saw Romanian striker Adrian Mutu banned from football for seven months in September 2004 after he tested positive for cocaine.Mutu’s deal was terminated for breach of contract and Chelsea were eventually awarded £14m in compensation by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.While ex-Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba was banned for 18 months in August 2023 after testing positive for performance-enhancing substance DHEA, leading to the eventual termination of his Juventus contract.Mudryk has featured in 15 games in all competitions this season – chipping in with three goals and five assists.But he is yet to be directly involved in a Premier League goal this term from his seven outings.READ MORE SUN STORIESMudryk made the switch to West London from Shakhtar Donetsk in an £88million deal after Chelsea pipped Arsenal to his signature.But he has so far failed to justify his hefty price tag – banging in just five top-flight goals from 53 matches. 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      Mykhailo Mudryk SUSPENDED from football after failing drugs test as Chelsea star faces up to four-year ban

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      CHELSEA star Mykhailo Mudryk has been provisionally suspended from football and could face a FOUR-YEAR ban after failing a drugs test.The winger, who could end up costing the Blues £88.5m, provided a positive result for an A-sample in late October.Chelsea star Mykhailo Mudryk has failed a drugs test and faces a four-year banCredit: GettyHe has been provisionally suspended by the FA ahead of a second test resultCredit: RexMudryk and Chelsea are now awaiting the result of the B-sample, which will confirm the original test if it also comes back positive.Ukrainian outlet Tribuna claims Mudryk has tested positive for meldonium, a banned metabolic substance similar to insulin.It can apparently allow the body to “use oxygen sparingly and quickly restore energy to prepare for new loads of physical stress.”Meldonium is widely used in Eastern Europe and has been on the banned list of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) since 2016.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLTennis star Maria Sharapova was banned for 15 months after testing positive for meldonium at the Australian Open that same year.But if confirmed by the B-sample, Mudryk could face a four-year ban from football – the standard initial punishment set by WADA for the use of performance-enhancing drugs.The 23-year-old has already been provisionally suspended by the FA after they were made aware of his initial A-sample failure.And Mudryk released a statement on Tuesday morning insisting he has never “knowingly used any banned substance.”Most read in FootballHe said: “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”.’You have to accept the way he is,’ says Enzo Maresca about Mudryk’s potential as Chelsea flop struggles for minutes Mudryk joined Chelsea two years ago in a deal which could reach £88millionCredit: GettyWhat drug did Mudryk take?By SunSport’s Joshua JonesMYKHAILO MUDRYK returned a positive sample for a drugs test in October.The Chelsea winger could face a ban for up to four years – because the drug was a performance-enhancing substance.It is alleged Mudryk had the drug meldonium in his system.Meldonium – aka mildronate – is a metabolic modulator similar to insulin and is widely used in Eastern Europe.It is used in heart disease therapy but is also claimed to enable athletes to withstand greater stress, use oxygen more sparingly and restore energy levels quickly.Meldonium was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency banned list in January 2016 following its high prevalence at the 2015 European Games in Baku.Just months later, former tennis world No1 and Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova was banned for two years by the International Tennis Federation – although this was later cut to 15 months on appeal.Sharapova had been taking the drug for ten years for various health issues and claimed she was unaware it had been added to the banned list.Also in 2016, Russian boxer Alexander Povetkin was found to have traces of meldonium in his system before he was due to fight fellow heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder.“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”.Chelsea also released a statement insisting they and Mudryk will work with authorities.It 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.”How long are drugs bans in football?By SunSport’s Joshua JonesMYKHAILO MUDRYK could be banned for up to four years after failing a drugs testBut what are the rules regarding drugs in football?There is a big difference between recreational drugs and performance-enhancing substances.Recreational drugs – such as cannabis, cocaine, heroin, LSD and MDMA – carry a six-month suspension.However, this ban can increase to up to two years if a drug is detected when a player is tested after a match.But performance-enhancing drugs carry a far more severe punishment.And crucially the alleged drug Mudryk tested positive for, meldonium, falls under that category.The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code’s standard ban is four years.That is how long Paul Pogba was suspended for following his failed drugs test – although it was later reduced on appeal to 18 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.The FA follows the UK Anti-Doping code under the WADA authority so will follow their lead and procedures.Should Mudryk’s follow-up secondary ‘B’ sample also test positive, he is likely to be hit with at least an 18-month ban but it could be as high as four years.The only person in football currently banned on the UKAD sanctions list for anti-doping rule violations is Craig Campbell.The former Scottish striker was banned for four years in December 2022 after being convicted of dealing cocaine. Mudryk has not played for Chelsea since scoring in the 2-0 Conference League win at Heindenheim on November 28.He has also not been in a match-day squad since the 3-0 win over Aston Villa in the Premier League on December 1.And the official reason given for Mudryk’s absence by his club was that he had been ill.The Athletic claims the player intends to vigorously defend his position, which is that he did not take meldonium intentionally, amid an unverified suspicion of sabotage.Two decades ago, the Blues saw Romanian striker Adrian Mutu banned from football for seven months in September 2004 after he tested positive for cocaine.Mutu’s deal was terminated for breach of contract and Chelsea were eventually awarded £14m in compensation by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.Former Chelsea star Adrian Mutu tested positive for cocaine in 2004Credit: GettyPaul Pogba was banned for 18 months after failing a doping testCredit: AFPRio Ferdinand was banned for eight months in 2003 after missing a drugs testCredit: GettyA year earlier, former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand missed a drugs test and was suspended for eight months.While ex-United midfield Paul Pogba was banned for 18 months in August 2023 after testing positive for performance-enhancing substance DHEA, leading to the eventual termination of his Juventus contract.Mudryk joined Chelsea in a big-money move from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023.He struggled to make an impact in his first six months with no goals in 17 games.And last season Mudryk managed to hit the target seven times in 41 outings.READ MORE SUN STORIESThis term he has three goals in 15 matches, all of which have come in Europe.But Mudryk continues to be a key player for Ukraine, winning 12 caps in 2024 to take his total to 28. 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