Chelsea’s Mudryk and top players who were found guilty of doping

Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk has expressed his astonishment after receiving news of a positive test for a prohibited substance. The Ukrainian winger’s club announced that they had been informed by the Football Association (FA) about an irregular result from a routine urine sample provided by Mudryk, but it was not the first time a football star had been found doping.

Here’s a summary of some top footballers who have been in Mudryk’s shoes in the past.

Diego Maradona, one of the greatest footballers of all time, was notorious for his extravagant lifestyle. His bending of the rules ultimately led to his downfall, including a 15-month ban in 1991 for cocaine use. Maradona’s international career ended in 1994 after testing positive for Ephedrine at the World Cup.

Andre Onana, the Manchester United goalkeeper, was banned from football in 2021. Onana tested positive for Furosemide and received a 12-month suspension from UEFA. He claimed to have unintentionally taken his pregnant wife’s medicine, and the ban was later reduced to nine months.

Pep Guardiola, the current Manchester City manager, was banned during his playing days. Guardiola allegedly consumed Nandrolone and received a four-month suspension in 2001. However, the charges were dropped after a successful appeal six years later.

Samir Nasri, a former Manchester City player, was banned in 2018. Nasri visited a clinic for an “Immunity IV drip” and was deemed to have used a “prohibited method.” He received a six-month ban.

Kolo Toure, a former Manchester City and Arsenal player, was suspended in 2009. Toure took his wife’s water tablets due to a “misplaced perception that he was fat.” He received a six-month ban.

Adrian Mutu, a Romanian forward, tested positive for cocaine in 2004. Mutu received a seven-month ban and left Chelsea shortly after.

Mark Bosnich, a former Chelsea goalkeeper, tested positive for cocaine in 2002. Bosnich claimed that a spiked drink had caused the positive test and received a nine-month ban.

Paul Pogba, the French midfielder, failed a doping test in 2023. Pogba was found to have elevated levels of testosterone and received a four-year ban. However, his ban was reduced to 18 months in 2024.

Mykhailo Mudryk, the Chelsea winger, tested positive for a banned substance in October 2024. Mudryk denies knowingly taking any banned substances and faces a potentially lengthy ban.