Unexpected development regarding Mudryk's situation, also stated by Shakhtar

Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk passed a lie detector test this week, according to Shakhtar boss Sergei Palkin.

The Ukrainian was provisionally suspended by the Football Association in mid-December after a routine urine test in which he tested positive for a banned performance-enhancing substance, meldonium. The 24-year-old has denied any wrongdoing and vowed to prove his innocence, but has not played for Chelsea since November.

Now, Palkin has claimed that the player took a polygraph test in an attempt to prove his innocence, which would allow him to play once again.

"I have spoken to Mudryk many times since this doping issue arose," Palkin told GiveMeSport exclusively.

"He doesn't understand how it could have happened. He has no idea. No idea at all. So his lawyers arranged for him to take a lie detector test, which he passed. That will be part of the evidence that shows he didn't do anything wrong intentionally."

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"Mudryk has been clear, it's not his fault he tested positive. Now we need to find out how this happened and who did this. His lawyers are trying to find out."

"There are no results from sample B yet, so it remains open. No one knows what happened. I wish Mudryk all the best. He is a top professional and a very good person. He needs to be protected," he added.

The Ukraine international has failed to make an impact in West London after moving to Stamford Bridge from Shakhtar Donetsk for €100m in January 2023. /Telegraph/