In January 2023, Shakhtar Donetsk struck a high-profile deal to sell Mykhailo Mudryk to Chelsea for €70 million, following significant interest from several top European clubs.
Following the transfer, club CEO Sergei Palkin revealed the far-reaching impact of the fee beyond football.
In an interview, Palkin disclosed that club owner Rinat Akhmetov directed €25 million from the transfer fee to support Ukraine’s defense against Russia and provide humanitarian aid to citizens affected by the ongoing war.
The Russia–Ukraine war began with a full-scale invasion by Russia on February 24, 2022, escalating a conflict that had started in 2014 with the annexation of Crimea. Russia launched attacks from multiple fronts, aiming to seize control of major Ukrainian regions.
Ukraine responded with strong resistance under the leadership of President Zelenskyy, receiving extensive military and humanitarian support from Western allies.
The war has led to hundreds of thousands of military casualties, widespread civilian suffering, and the displacement of millions. Russia continues to occupy parts of eastern and southern Ukraine, and despite international sanctions and failed peace talks, the conflict remains unresolved.
Meanwhile, Mudryk has been provisionally suspended by the Football Association after testing positive for a banned substance. The drug in question, ‘meldonium’, was reportedly administered while he was abroad and not on club duty.
Ukraine had fixtures in Albania and Georgia during that period. Under FA regulations, Mudryk could face a ban of up to four years.
Despite maintaining his innocence, the former Shakhtar Donetsk forward is currently not training at Chelsea’s Cobham facility and is instead following a personalized fitness program from home.
FKA/MA
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