Mykhailo Mudryk sack update at Chelsea – ‘Open and shut case’
Chelsea will be in a strong position to sack Mykhailo Mudryk if he is found guilty of doping offences by the FA.
It is several months now since the winger last made an appearance for Enzo Maresca‘s side, following the emergence of a major issue for the 24-year-old.
Back in December, it was confirmed that Mudryk had returned an adverse finding during a routine drugs test, apparently showing traces of the banned performance-enhancing substance meldonium.
Earlier this week, it then emerged that the FA have charged the Chelsea winger with doping offences, meaning he could face a ban of up to four years.
Chelsea can get out of long contract with just two weeks pay
While the Ukraine international has been provisionally banned since that initial adverse test, it emerged earlier this year that Chelsea have still made alteration to Mudryk’s contract.
The winger’s deal is not set to expire until the summer of 2031, meaning he could still be on the books at Stamford Bridge long after any ban is over.
Even so, the Blues could have the option to easily terminate Mudryk‘s contract, if he is found guilty by the authorities.
As per an update from The Athletic, most Premier League contracts include a definition for gross misconduct, which includes taking a prohibited substance, as approved by the FA.
Consequently, Dan Chapman, a partner and head of employment and sports law at Leathes Prior believes Chelsea would not have many issues in dismissing the 24-year-old.
Discussing whether the club could sack Mudryk if he is found guilty, he said: “The club, on the face of it, would have a relatively open-and-shut case to say the player is guilty of gross misconduct and, if they wanted to, they could terminate the player’s contract
Chapman also noted the player could appeal that sacking, but he would struggle to be successful if the FA’s charges have already been upheld.
If they were to go down that route of sacking him, then the Blues would apparently have to pay the winger for just 14 more days, rather than paying up the whole of the six-and-a-half years remaining on his contract, and could even go on to sue the Ukrainian as they once did years ago in the wake of sacking Romanian striker Adrian Mutu two decades ago.
Chelsea in a difficult position
Football Insider Verdict
While Mudryk has maintained his innocence over this positive test, Chelsea have so far stood by their player throughout this saga.
It may therefore be hard for them to dismiss him even if he is found guilty, considering the message it may send out to other current and potetial future players.
However, the Blues may not want to pay big wages for several years to a player who is unable to contribute for them, which would not make a lot of sense financially.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are also being linked heavily with Jamie Gittens at Borussia Dortmund, and signing the winger would put them in a position to move on from Mudryk.
That too could put them under pressure over a decision on the future of the Ukraine international, since it would be hard for him to even get back in the side when his suspension is over.
So with all that to consider, it will surely be a long time yet before there is a definitive resolution to this saga surrounding Mudryk at Stamford Bridge.