Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk’s positive doping test has sparked intense discussions within the football world.

Ukrainian sports lawyer Ilya Skoropashkin has weighed in on the situation, shedding light on the potential implications of Mudryk’s defence strategy.

The player’s legal team has opted to open the B sample and build their case around the claim that the substance entered his body accidentally through an Actovegin injection, which allegedly contained trace amounts of meldonium, a banned substance.

“If the version with Actovegin is true, it’s a logical step,” said Skoropashkin.

“The defence strategy based on the accidental ingestion of meldonium is one of the potential ways to significantly reduce the suspension period.”

However, Skoropashkin highlighted the challenges Mudryk faces, especially in convincing doping authorities of his innocence.

“There are significant risks. The concentration of the banned substance in the athlete’s body is measured very precisely by the doping control authorities, and Mudryk’s version is only possible if the concentration of meldonium in Mykhailo is extremely low,” he explained.