Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has been formally charged by the Football Association FA with breaching anti-doping regulations after failing a drugs test.
Mudryk has not featured for Chelsea since November 28, following his provisional suspension by the FA in December due to an adverse finding in a routine urine sample.
The Ukrainian international expressed his shock at the news, insisting that he never knowingly used any banned substances. However, under FA rules, Mudryk could face a ban of up to four years.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the FA confirmed that the 24-year-old had been charged with violations related to the presence and/or use of a prohibited substance, referencing regulations three and four of the FA's anti-doping code.
"With the case still ongoing, we are unable to comment further at this stage," the FA added.