Why was Mudryk given ban in secret and what happens now?

Breaking news from the world of sport: Why was Mudryk given ban in secret and what happens now? Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Mykhailo Mudryk hasn't played for Chelsea since November 2024 By Daniel Austin , Sport senior journalist and Nizaar Kinsella , Football reporter Published 21 minutes ago When news broke that Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has begun an appeal against a four-year doping ban , many football fans' immediately asked, what ban? That is because the Football Association, who issued the ban to the Ukraine international because of an "adverse finding in a routine urine test", never announced its decision or any details of the punishment in public.

The news only became common knowledge on Wednesday because the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) announced Mudryk had taken the decision to appeal against the ban. So why has the process been kept secret and what happens now? When was Mudryk banned and why the secrecy?

Match Details

Sport has been told Mudryk was banned by the FA in January but that only a close-knit group of people around him and a small number of people at Chelsea were informed. That is because the FA's anti-doping programme is deemed strictly confidential - all parts of the process, from testing to discussions with lawyers, are carried out behind closed doors in order to respect the privacy of footballers. UK Anti-Doping (Ukad) works in collaboration with the FA on the programme.

In many other sports, provisional bans for positive tests are announced publicly. In its privacy policy for anti-doping, the FA says: "We will process sensitive personal data in carrying out processing. We do this for the purposes of eliminating doping in sport and protecting the integrity of the game.

"Data may be shared with a number of third parties. As well as sharing data with Ukad, information may be shared with the police where there is evidence of criminal conduct, with Uefa and Fifa and any other relevant event organisers and international federations with doping responsibility, as well as the World Anti-Doping Agency. "Information about testing and outcomes may also be shared with your club.

Reactions and Expectations

" Cases often only become public knowledge when a player has been absent from their team's playing squad for a period of time without proper explanation. Outcomes and punishments are usually officially made public once the process has concluded but this may be delayed until any appeals have also been exhausted. Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Mudryk scored 10 goals in 73 appearances for Chelsea between his arrival from Shaktar Donetsk and his suspension What was Mudryk charged with?

The exact prohibited substance for which Mudryk tested positive has never been named by the FA, but Sport understands it is the cardiovascular medication meldonium, which has the potential to increase respiratory capacity and stamina, which he came into contact with while on duty with the Ukraine national team.

The story has climbed to the top of the sports agenda, with fans and analysts following closely.