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      Former Champions League star Radja Nainggolan arrested in investigation into cocaine smuggling as police raid 30 houses

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      RADJA NAINGGOLAN has been arrested as part of an investigation into smuggling cocaine, according to reports. The 30-cap Belgian midfielder, 36, joined second-tier Lokeren-Temse in his homeland last Tuesday. Radja Nainggolan was arrested on suspicion of smuggling cocaine days after his Lokeren-Temse debutCredit: RexThe footballer had been open about struggles with drink and smokingCredit: instagram @sena_asbhoelNainggolan marked his debut on Friday by scoring an Olympic goal directly from a corner to rescue a 1-1 draw.However, reports in Belgium on Monday morning revealed the former Roma and Inter Milan star was detained by police as part of an investigation into smuggling drugs from South America via the port of Antwerp.Approximately 30 houses were raided in the areas of Antwerp and Brussels as part of the sting. The Brussels public prosecutor’s office said: “The federal judicial police of Brussels carried out thirty house searches on Monday morning in the context of a file from the Organized Crime department of the Brussels public prosecutor’s office. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”The house searches mainly took place in the province of Antwerp and in Brussels.”The investigation concerns suspected facts of importing cocaine from South America to Europe, via the port of Antwerp, and its redistribution in Belgium.”We can confirm that the footballer RN (Radja Nainggolan) was deprived of his liberty in the context of that case. “Given that the interrogations are currently underway, and in compliance with the principle of presumption of innocence, no further comment will be made at this stage.”Most read in FootballGVA in Belgium added that Nainggolan’s lawyer Omar Souidi is on his way to support his client.The report also states that the footballer had his Smart Brabus car towed away amid the house search in Antwerp on Monday. ‘Smashed’ Radja Nainggolan causes stir with Instagram live video of him drinking and smoking on New Year’s EveHis new club confirmed their star signing missed training and will miss Tuesday’s match – but was ineligible anyway because it was a rearranged match from earlier in the season.Lokeren-Temse said: “Since the investigation is still ongoing, the police services do not want to and cannot make any further comment. “They respect the principle of presumption of innocence.”As a club, we agree with this. We can only confirm that the player was absent from training this morning.”Nainggolan, who scored at Euro 2016, has had a chequered career with various controversial moments and has openly admitted his struggles with alcohol and smoking. In 2017, he had his driving license withdrawn after driving at four times the legal alcohol limit. The four-time Serie A team of the year star then made headlines when he went live on Instagram on New Year’s Eve the same year drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes and swearing.The next day he apologised for his behaviour and admitted he “overdid it a bit” and “did not intend to set a negative example”.In 2018, Nainggolan reportedly lost hundreds of thousands of euros at a Monte Carlo casino and then was mugged by thieves who stole passbooks and cheques for €150,000 (£126,000). The midfielder was banned indefinitely by Antwerp in 2022 for vaping on the bench with an e-cigarette – a week after another arrest for driving offences. ‘NOT ASHAMED’Nainggolan had a brief stint at SPAL in 2023 – where he declared he could take to the field after 20 shots the night before.Sporting director Walter Sabatini claimed the midfielder could play after eight shots.But the footballer said: “Sabatini? I called him and told him that eight shots weren’t enough… I can also drink 20 and then I go out on the pitch anyway.“He loves me, he’s always advised me to have a quieter life. He thinks I would have a better career. But I don’t agree, on the pitch I gave it my all.“As a boy I suffered, my family was poor, I made great sacrifices to become a footballer. And now, I don’t give up living, also because nature has given me a body that isn’t affected by the shenanigans I’ve done.“Everywhere I did shenanigans. At Roma I arrived late, there were videos in which I was not very lucid in the evening and then that famous New Year’s Eve at my house…. I’ll remember it for the rest of my life.“Maybe that was the craziest night. Well, my videos drunk, smoking and saying words out of place went around the world. I was attacked by everyone, Roma went on a rampage. And they were right.”On his smoking habits, Nainggolan added during his Roma spell: “I’m not ashamed because I smoke and I’ve never hidden this habit of mine.”I know I should set a good example, I have kids… But I’m just a footballer, I do my job. Everyone knows that I smoke and I can’t hide it, but I’m not ashamed.”READ MORE SUN STORIESIronically, between his time at SPAL and joining Lokeren-Temse this month, Nainggolan played ten league games for Bhayangkara – a team based in South Jakarta run by the Indonesian police. Nainggolan has two daughters, Aysha and Mailey, with wife Claudia Lai, who overcame a cancer diagnosis in 2019.Nainggolan won Serie A with Inter Milan in 2020-21Credit: GettyHe starred for Belgium at Euro 2016Credit: Reuters More

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      I was Man City prospect who fell into booze and drugs, was stabbed twice and jailed… now I’m earning coaching badges

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      FORMER Manchester City prospect Daniel Warrender has opened up about being jailed and stabbed twice after falling into booze and drugs.Manchester-born Warrender has since turned his life around and is working hard to earn a Uefa B coaching badge.Former Man City prospect Daniel Warrender has bravely opened up how he turned his life aroundWarrender came through the ranks at Man City before turning professional in 2005The later stages of Warrender’s non-league career was derailed by prisonWarrender bravely opened up about overcoming past struggles on the ‘I Had Trials Once Podcast’.The former Man City youth star was first stabbed outside a city centre nightclub following a Manchester derby match in 2010.Warrender’s wound was reportedly minor, but doctors informed him that the shock of the incident had brought on a heart problem.And the ex-defender unfortunately went on to land himself in a world of trouble with the law a year later in 2011.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSWarrender was sentenced to 15 months in prison in 2013 after punching a man in a nightclub bust-up.According to court reports at the time, he left the victim scarred after he fell over on to a broken pint glass.The shards tore a 3.5cm wound down the man’s right cheek, and made several other cuts on his face, nose and arm, a court heard.The judge noted that Warrender was usually a “decent, hard working man” but had drunk “a skin-full” of alcohol before the attack in Stockport. Most read in FootballJustice Bernard Lever told him that his single blow had “absolutely tragic consequences” for both men, according to the Manchester Evening News.And that it did, as Warrender, who was playing football for non-league side Ramsbottom United at the time, found himself behind bars.Pep Guardiola reveals Kyle Walker has asked to LEAVE Man City with England defender set or £400K-A-WEEK Saudi transferWarrender said: “I’ve been at Manchester City, decent little prospect whatever.”And then within two years I was in prison for various violent offences and drugs and drink, whatever, you name it, I’ve done it. “I was stabbed on two different occasions and hospitalised a total of nine times.”But that was normal life to me. But now I’m on the Uefa B course. I’ve got two beautiful kids. One of them is a superstar at City.”Warrender’s son George is currently playing for Man City’s Under-11 youth side.Fans have dubbed the youngster a “mini Phil Foden” for his skill – but also because of his uncanny resemblance to the England superstar. Warrender was part of the squad who beat Manchester United’s youth in the Senior Cup in 2005Warrender’s son is coming through the ranks at his dad’s former sideAnd tearful Warrender added: “I’ve got my own coaching pitch, which I own outright…sorry I’m going again. I told you I cry all the time.”But now, honestly, when kids give me a thank you and that, I’m in the house with my missus crying. But I love it.”The now 38-year-old was brutally attacked for the second time on New Year’s Eve in 2017. His brother David Warrender, a convicted drug dealer, was said to be in control of the bar.But it was substantially worse on this occasion as Warrender was stabbed several times and suffered a punctured lung and kidney.Warrender was part of the squad who beat Manchester United’s youth in the Manchester Senior Cup in 2005.He was shipped out on loan to Blackpool a few months later, before he joined the League One side permanently in 2006.But his time at The Tangerines was cut short when he moved down into the non-league game with Rossendale United.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe then spent time in the USA with San Francisco Seals before returning to the UK with FC United of Manchester. Warrender was shipped back and forth between Ramsbottom and FC United before and after his time in prison.Who are these famous footballers? More

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      How footballer went from Euros star to drug dealer gripped by debt & ultimately a Putin pawn killed on Ukraine frontline

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      HIS body lies somewhere on the frontline in Ukraine. A former star footballer, now one of the countless casualties of Vladimir Putin’s brutal meat-grinder war.Alexey Bugayev was killed in Ukraine after joining up to escape a jail sentenceCredit: Рейтинг БукмекеровBugayev, left, playing for Russia against Portugal icon Luis Figo at Euro 2004Credit: GettyBugayev, back row second from left, was a rising star with the Russia teamCredit: GettyTwenty years ago Aleksei Bugayev was playing against footballing icons like Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Figo at the Euros.He had achieved what millions could only ever dream of; football stardom and a place on a world stage to show off his skills.But when his career ended prematurely in 2010 at the age of 29, Bugayev’s life would begin to spiral out of control.Gripped by poverty, debt, alcoholism and drug dealing, he was left a dishevelled ghost of his former life.READ MORE UKRAINEIt would eventually lead him into a desperate decision – one which would seal a terrible fate in the merciless war in Ukraine.Yesterday Bugayev’s dad confirmed to Russian media that his 43-year-old son had been killed in Ukraine as part of Putin’s “special military operation”.Ivan Bugayev said his son’s body could not be recovered due to “active fighting”.“Now my son’s body is lying somewhere,” he said.Most read in FootballBugayev’s fall into the abyss was a tragedy which friends and fellow players had seen develop when he was just in his 20s.Born in Moscow at the height of the Cold War in 1981, Bugayev was able to sign for one of the city’s footballing giants, Torpedo Moscow, known as the Car Factory Workers.Russian footballing legend Valery Petrakov, who managed Bugayev, said he was as a naturally gifted young player; “superbly equipped technically” and with “an excellent view of the field”.Watch as Putin’s N Korean troops sent to die with suicidal jog on frontline”He could do everything on the field,” he added. “He had speed, a pass, a shot, positioning, coordination, jumping ability… and phenomenal health, too. He was a devil of a player.”Despite being just 5ft 9in, not tall for a centre-back, Bugayev secured a place in the national squad for the Euro 2004 championships held in Portugal. At the Estadio do Benfica in front of 50,000 fans, and millions watching on TV around the world, Bugayev started the game against eventual finalists Portugal.The tournament hosts featured some the world’s greatest players, Luis Figo, Deco and Rui Costa.A young Cristiano Ronaldo, then just 19, came on as a sub during the game which Portugal won, 2-0.A picture from the match shows a dejected Bugayev as striker Rui Costa celebrates Portugal’s second goal.Bugayev looks down as Portugal striker Rui Costa celebrates after scoring in Euro 2004Bugayev’s career would crash soon after his Euros appearanceCredit: GettyThe tournament would mark the breathtaking emergence of Ronaldo at the start if his astonishing rise to a footballing great.But as Ronaldo was bursting onto the world football scene, Bugayev’s Euro appearances would mark a premature epoch for such a young player. He would be capped seven times for Russia, but he was also starting to display the troubling personal demons which would haunt him through the rest of his life.After his international appearances, Bugayev was transferred for $2m to Moscow rivals Lokomotiv.But he failed to secure a regular place in the team and the quiet and reserved young man started drinking.Another former team-mate Igor Semshov told Russian sports reporter Artem Lokalov that Bugayev’s career began to unravel when he moved to Locomotiv and he lost the personal support of his Torpedo team-mates.He added: “Bugayev could break the rules, but we put these moments aside and looked at him as someone the team needed.”If we had managed to spend a career with him in the same club, we would not have let him give up everything and go downhill.“But we all moved to other clubs, where everyone was on their own. At Torpedo, we could shower (him) with care or put pressure on him at the right moment, but everyone went their separate ways.”Bugayev playing against eventual winners Greece at Euro 2004Credit: GettyTransferred to Siberian team Tom Tomsk in 2006, Bugayev quickly found himself in trouble, including disappearing at a beer festival in Moscow.Speaking to Russian media, his former manager Petrakov told Russian media: “It’s a shame that Bugayev drowned his talent in alcohol.“He lasted three or four months, and then everything started all over again.””It all ended with a riot at a training camp in Turkey. He smashed a shop window. The next day, Bugayev’s contract was terminated.”Bugayev was handed a lifeline by the newly formed FC Krasnodar, playing 20 matches before parting company with the club.At the age of 29, he would never play professional football again.Another former coach Nurbiy Khakunov described how at Krasnodar the club “tried to help” the player as his personal life deteriorated.He added: “It didn’t work to restart his career. Bugayev decided to go down a non-sports path. It’s no secret that he had problems with alcohol.“We fought as best we could, but it didn’t work. He came to Krasnodar already with problems and hardly played.“I feel sorry for him, because he could have played (more games) for the national team, but he went down such a bad path. That’s for sure. He had a very good brain, he was very strong in one-on-one combat.”Bugayev, who insisted later that he quit football to spend more time with his family, slipped into obscurity, only reemerging in 2015 when he agreed to an interview about his playing career.Then he was working collecting waste paper and transporting cargo around Russia from a run down home in the Moscow suburb of Chekhov.He said he and his friend made the equivalent of 1p for every kilo of paper they found.There he admitted to Lokalov that he had been drinking through his playing days but looking back on his career said “Do I regret anything? Never and for nothing.”Bugayev’s life would continue to disintegrate however.Bugayev, left, worked in Moscow collecting paper for 1p a kiloCredit: Рейтинг БукмекеровBugayev appears in court charged with drug smugglingSeven years later in October 2023 he was arrested for drug smuggling.He admitted to cops that he “responded to an advert for a job as a drug courier” in a bid to pay off 70,000 roubles of debt – then the equivalent of about £500.Bugayev claimed he had been told to distribute half a kilo of mephedrone, or M-Cat, but was caught. He faced 20-years in prison.After a year on remand, in September a court in Krasnodar sentenced Bugayev to 9 and-a-half years in a maximum security penal colony.It was then he was offered a deal that would seal his tragic fate.Those convicted of serious crimes in Russia are now being lured into the military in a desperate bid by Putin to shore up immense losses in his war against Ukraine.Russian conscripts in Putin’s armyCredit: East2WestKillers, rapists and drug dealers are offered pardons – even before their trials – if they agree to military service and being sent to the front.Facing almost a decade in a dreaded Russian penal colony, Bugayev took the gamble and signed a contract with the Russian Defense Ministry.He was then quickly sent to Russia’s North Military District and soon, after the most basic military training, to the frontline in Ukraine.There he joined the battered, ill-trained and ill-equipped legions of convicts, many in their 40s, 50s and 60s, being used as cannon fodder to try to secure pitiful yards of gains against Ukraine’s highly trained troops, tanks, killer drones, artillery and trenches.The news of Bugayev’s fate came first from his lawyer Anton Smirnov who told the Russian website Sports.ru that the former player had been killed in action at the front.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe added: “Due to the fighting there is no way to pull out the body yet.””Unfortunately, the news of Aleksei’s death is true,” his dad later said. “How did it happen? And how are they killed during the military operations, I do not know.”Bugayev was dead just a few months after joining Russian forces in UkraineCredit: REUTERSUkrainian artillery in actionCredit: Getty More

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      Mykhailo Mudryk ‘pictured in Saudi Arabia for Usyk v Fury’ days after Chelsea star suspended for positive drugs test

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      CHELSEA star Mykhailo Mudryk has reportedly been photographed in Saudi Arabia, days after he was suspended for failing a drugs test.Mudryk, 23, was snapped with a Chelsea fan YouTuber, who shared the image on social media.Chelsea star Mykhailo Mudryk has failed a drugs test and faces a four-year banCredit: GettyThe Chelsea ace is thought to have flown to Riyadh to support fellow Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk in his blockbuster rematch with Tyson Fury.The YouTuber – known only as Shargi – also reported a brief chat with the £88million winger.He claimed he told Mudryk: “Chelsea fans from all over the world trust you that you did not take a performance-enhancing substance. We love you very much and we trust in your returnAnd the fan reports that the Chelsea star replied: “Thank you very much, I hope everything is gonna be fine.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe Ukrainian winger tested positive for a banned substance in October and is set for a lengthy ban of up to four years.Mudryk denied knowingly taking meldonium, which was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency banned list in 2016. It can apparently allow the body to “use oxygen sparingly and quickly restoreenergyto 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.Most read in FootballMudryk has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for meldoniumCredit: Getty Mudryk released a statement on Tuesday morning insisting he has never “knowingly used any banned substance.”He 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”.Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has come out in support of the £88million signing and believes he will return to the team.He said: “We all believe Mudryk is innocent.“I don’t think Misha’s Chelsea career is over. I think he will come back. “We don’t know when, that is the only doubt we have in this moment.“But for sure, he will be back.”What 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. More

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      Enzo Maresca breaks silence on Mykhailo Mudryk’s failed drugs test and gives update on his Chelsea future

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      ENZO MARESCA has broken his silence on Mykhailo Mudryk’s failed drugs test.The FA has provisionally suspended the Ukrainian winger after he provided a positive result for an A-sample in October.Enzo Maresca has broken his silence on Mykhailo MudrykCredit: GettyMudryk has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for meldoniumCredit: GettyThe drug is similar to insulin and is widely used in Eastern EuropeCredit: Instagram / @mmudryk10Mudryk, 23, reportedly tested positive for meldonium, which is a banned substance similar to insulin which could lead to a FOUR YEAR BAN.He and Chelsea are now awaiting the result of a B-sample, which will confirm the original test if it is positive.Maresca has come out in support of the £88.5million signing and believes he will return to the team.He said: “We all believe Mudryk is innocent.READ MORE ON CHELSEA“I don’t think Misha’s Chelsea career is over. I think he will come back. “We don’t know when, that is the only doubt we have in this moment.“But for sure, he will be back.”Mudryk has protested his innocence and claimed he was left in “complete shock” when he was told.Most read in FootballHe said: “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.Chelsea star Mykhailo Mudryk facing FOUR YEAR ban after failing drugs testWhat 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 I have not done anything wrong and remain hopeful that I will be back on the pitch soon.Maresca has also insisted that Mudryk’s team-mates are also in support of the player.He added: “We all support Misha.”The situation is a bit more clear.”We have a statement from the club, who have already said what we need to say, so there is not anything to add.”All the players inside the training ground support and trust Misha.”Chelsea released a statement in the aftermath of the news in which it backed up Mudryk’s claims.READ MORE SUN STORIESIt read: “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.”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.  More

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      Mykhailo Mudryk banned from training with Chelsea team-mates as fresh details emerge on shock drug scandal

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      MYKHAILO MUDRYK is unable to train with his Chelsea team-mates as fresh details surrounding his drug scandal emerge.The Ukrainian has been provisionally suspended from football and faces up to a FOUR-YEAR ban after failing a doping test.Mykhailo Mudryk is unable to train with his Chelsea team-mates amid his drug scandalCredit: GettyMudryk – who could end up costing the Blues £88.5million – provided a positive result for an A-sample in late October. The winger and Chelsea are now awaiting the result of the B-sample, which will confirm the original test if it also comes back positive.Mudryk is believed to have 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.”READ MORE IN football Meldonium is widely used in Eastern Europe and has been on the banned list of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) since 2016.Tennis star Maria Sharapova was banned for 15 months after testing positive for meldonium at the Australian Open that same year.According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Mudryk is unable to train at Cobham due to his provisional suspension.Mudryk categorically denies intentional wrongdoing and passed a test in August and has a specialist law firm dealing with the matter.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe positive A-test occurred on international duty and it’s reported the player believes contamination caused the result.Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has been kept in the loop but is not dealing with the matter day-by-day. ‘I’m getting emotional’ – England manager Thomas Tuchel’s comments on Cole Palmer leave Chelsea fans close to tearsMaresca referred to Mudryk as ill and it is understood the forward did return from international duty sick.The maximum punishment he faces is a four-year ban but Paul Pogba had his reduced to 18 months and is eligible to play again in March. Sharapova had her two-year suspension reduced to 15 months.Mudryk has made 15 appearances this season, with three goals all scored in the Europa Conference League. The positive A-test occurred on international dutyCredit: Getty More

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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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      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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