Shakhtar Donetsk chief executive Sergei Palkin has confirmed that Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk is still awaiting the outcome of the investigation into his alleged violation of doping regulations.

The 24-year-old, who joined Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023 in a high-profile transfer, was handed a global suspension following a failed drugs test while on international duty with Ukraine. His absence in December initially went unexplained, but the news later surfaced that he was facing disciplinary action.

Following the initial test, a second sample — commonly referred to as the ‘B sample’ — was also tested, but results have yet to be disclosed, leaving all parties in a prolonged state of uncertainty. Mudryk has consistently maintained that he did not knowingly consume any banned substances.

The investigation remains ongoing, and according to Palkin, Mudryk and his legal team have been working to establish evidence in his defence.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Palkin said: “I have spoken to Mudryk many times since this doping issue arose. He doesn’t understand how it could have happened. He has no idea — no clue at all.

“His lawyers even arranged for him to undergo a lie detector test, which he passed. This will be included as part of the evidence to demonstrate that he did not intentionally do anything wrong.

“Mudryk has been clear throughout: it’s not his fault that he tested positive. Now the focus is on uncovering how this happened, and who might have been responsible. His lawyers are continuing to investigate. With no conclusive results yet from the B-sample, the matter remains unresolved. Nobody knows the answer at this stage.

“I wish Mudryk all the best — he is a top professional and a genuinely good person. He deserves to be protected.”

Palkin also highlighted Shakhtar’s financial interest in the outcome, revealing the club stands to lose significant performance-related bonuses should Mudryk be unable to play.

“Shakhtar also has a vested interest. There are bonuses from his transfer to Chelsea that are dependent on his performances,” Palkin explained. “If he’s not playing, it could cost us up to €30 million (£25.8 million). So Shakhtar, Chelsea and Mudryk are all in the same boat. We stand behind him and hope he will be cleared to return to football as soon as possible.”

If Mudryk’s B-sample ultimately returns a positive result, the Ukrainian international will still face disciplinary action from FIFA, even if it is proven that the breach was unintentional.

This would not be unprecedented, as Manchester United goalkeeper André Onana was handed a 12-month suspension in February 2021 after inadvertently ingesting a banned substance. His suspension was later reduced to nine months on appeal.

More recently, Paul Pogba was issued the standard four-year ban in 2023 after testing positive, though this was subsequently reduced to 18 months following a successful appeal.