Chelsea winger Mykhaylo Mudryk remains in the dark over his failed drugs test and presumed unopened B-sample, according to Skahktar Donetsk chief executive Sergei Palkin.
In December, it was revealed that the Ukraine international had tested positive for meldonium, leading to the Football Association provisionally suspending the player.
The expectation was that a B-sample would be opened and analysed as soon as possible to help determine whether the 24-year-old has a case to answer.
However, as per Palkin who was speaking to GIVEMESPORT, there have been no developments with regards to that matter, the assumption being that it has not been opened.
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"He has no clue"
Elaborating on his frequent discussions with Mudryk, Palkin has confirmed that the player continues to protest his innocence and has since passed a lie detector test.
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 clue. No idea at all.
"So his lawyers organised for him to take a lie detector test, which he passed. It will form part of the evidence showing he didn't intentionally do anything wrong.
"Mudryk has been clear, it's not his fault that he tested positive. We now need to find out how this has happened, and who did this. His lawyers are trying to find out.
"There are still no results from the B-sample, so that remains open. Nobody knows what's happened. I wish Mudryk all the best. He's a top professional and a very good person. He should be protected."
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Why Shakhtar have vested interest
When Chelsea signed Mudryk from Shakhtar in January 2023, it was in a deal that was worth an initial £62m but could rise to as high as £89m.
Palkin confirmed in the same interview that Shakhtar face the prospect of losing €30m (£25.7m) if Mudryk is not allowed to return to the pitch anytime soon.
Mudryk has not made an appearance for Chelsea since scoring in a 2-0 win over Heidenheim in the Conference League on November 28.
He possesses a contract at Stamford Bridge until the end of 2030-31, his inconsistent performances before the provisional ban already reducing his value.
Darren Plant
