Thursday’s briefing: Mudryk charged and Real held on Alexander-Arnold debut

Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk has been charged by the Football Association over an alleged breach of anti-doping regulations.

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Real Madrid debut ended in frustration at the Club World Cup, but Manchester City’s Rico Lewis endured an even more disappointing night as he was sent off.

England edged their way into the European Under-21 Championship quarter-finals despite defeat by Germany.

Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has been charged by the Football Association with violating anti-doping rules.

The 24-year-old, an £88.5million (€103 million) signing from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023, has not played since being handed a provisional suspension in December after he returned a positive test, reportedly for the banned substance meldonium.

An FA statement said: “We can confirm that Mykhailo Mudryk has been charged with anti-doping rule violations alleging the presence and/or use of a prohibited substance, in terms of regulations three and four of the FA’s anti-doping regulations.”

Pep Guardiola leapt to the defence of Rico Lewis after the Manchester City defender’s “unnecessary” sending-off in their Club World Cup opener.

Lewis was dismissed by Brazilian referee Ramon Abatti after catching Samuel Obeng in the face following a sliding challenge two minutes from the end of a 2-0 victory over Wydad Casablanca.

City boss Guardiola said: “He touched the ball. For the speed they go to touch the ball – for the Newton’s theory your leg has to be a little bit higher and the other player was down.

“Rico had no intention. It was unnecessary, honestly, the red card, but the referee had a different opinion and he’s the boss.”

Debutants Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen suffered a frustrating evening in Miami as