Chelsea have confirmed that they have been contacted by the FA after winger Mykhailo Modric tested negative in a routine urine test.
The Ukrainian international, who has made 15 appearances for the Blues this season, denies deliberately taking any banned substances.
A Chelsea statement read: “Chelsea Football Club can confirm that the Football Association has recently contacted our player Mykhailo Modric regarding a negative result in a routine urine test.
“Both the club and Mykhaylo fully support the FA’s testing program and all our players, including Mykhaylo, are tested regularly.
“Mykhaylo has categorically stated that he never knowingly used any banned substances.
“Both Mykhailo and the club will now work with the relevant authorities to determine the reason for the negative result.
“The club will not comment further.”
The Athletic newspaper, citing several sources, reported that Modric tested positive for meldonium after playing for Ukraine in November. Meldonium can aid an athlete's recovery from strenuous exercise, and was added to the World Anti-Doping Authority (WADA) banned list in January 2016.
Modric said on social media: “I can confirm that I have been notified that the sample I provided to the FA contains a banned substance.
“This has come as a complete shock as I have never knowingly used any banned substances or broken any rules, and I am working closely with my team to investigate how this could have happened.
“I know I didn't do anything wrong, and I still hope to be back on the field soon. I can't say more now due to the confidentiality of the process, but I will do so as soon as possible.
Modric, who missed Chelsea's last five matches with the club due to illness, joined the west London side from Shakhtar Donetsk last January for a fee that could reach £88m. He has struggled to hold down a regular place in the first team and has played this season largely in the second-row side competing in cup competitions.
