- Mykhailo Mudryk joins a list of high-profile players who have failed doping tests.
- Notable names include Maria Sharapova, Paul Pogba, and Adrian Mutu.
- Doping scandals highlight the strict liability athletes face in anti-doping regulations.
Chelsea fans were looking forward to a smooth season, but those hopes took a hit when Ukrainian winger Mykhailo Mudryk reportedly failed a doping test.
The news, originating from Ukrainian sources, was later confirmed by British media outlets and followed by statements from both the club and Mudryk himself.
While the football world waits for the results of Mudryk’s “B” sample, it’s a reminder that even top players have faced similar accusations in the past. Here’s a look at some high-profile players who have failed doping tests over the years.
Top Players Who Have Failed Doping Tests
1. Diego Maradona
The legendary Argentine forward’s career was marred by doping scandals. In 1991, Maradona tested positive for cocaine while playing for Napoli, leading to a 15-month ban. Then, during the 1994 World Cup, he failed another test for ephedrine, effectively ending his international career.
2. Adrian Mutu
Romanian striker Adrian Mutu tested positive for cocaine while at Chelsea in 2004. The scandal led to his termination from the club and a lengthy legal battle that saw Chelsea sue him for breach of contract. Mutu faced a seven-month ban but managed to rebuild his career afterward.
3. Pep Guardiola
Before becoming one of football’s most iconic managers, Guardiola tested positive for nandrolone, a banned steroid, in 2001 while playing for Brescia. Though he maintained his innocence and won an appeal years later, the incident cast a shadow over his playing career.
4. Samir Nasri
In 2016, former Arsenal and Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri faced a doping ban after receiving an intravenous drip treatment deemed illegal under World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules. He was banned for six months, later extended to 18 months.
5. Edgar Davids
Known for his distinctive goggles and combative midfield style, Edgar Davids tested positive for nandrolone in 2001 while at Juventus. He served a four-month ban but returned to football and continued his career at the highest level.
6. Rio Ferdinand
While not a failed test, Rio Ferdinand’s eight-month suspension in 2003 for missing a mandatory drug test remains one of the most high-profile cases in English football. Ferdinand claimed he simply forgot, but the incident sparked widespread debate about drug testing policies.
7. Jaap Stam
Dutch defender Jaap Stam, then playing for Lazio, tested positive for nandrolone in 2001. Like others, he denied intentional wrongdoing but faced a five-month suspension. The case raised questions about supplements and contaminated substances.
8. Andre Onana
In 2021, Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana received a 12-month ban (later reduced to nine months) after testing positive for furosemide, a banned diuretic. Onana claimed he had mistakenly taken his wife’s medication, a defense partially accepted by the authorities.
9. Kolo Touré
Former Arsenal and Manchester City defender Kolo Touré tested positive for a banned substance in 2011. He explained that he had taken diet pills belonging to his wife, leading to a six-month ban.
10. Paolo Guerrero
Peruvian striker Paolo Guerrero tested positive for cocaine metabolites in 2017. Guerrero argued the substance came from contaminated tea, and his initial one-year ban was reduced to six months, allowing him to play in the 2018 World Cup.
As Mykhailo Mudryk’s case unfolds, the football world will be watching closely. Whether his “B” sample exonerates him or confirms the initial result, it’s clear that even the brightest stars are not immune to controversy. These incidents serve as reminders of the importance of maintaining integrity in sport and ensuring a level playing field for all.
