Romania striker Adrian Mutu has
been ordered by Fifa to pay €12 million to Chelsea for testing
positive for cocaine in 2004, according to his
lawyer.
Chelsea bought Mutu from Parma in 2003 for £15million and let
him go in October 2004 after he tested positive for cocaine. He was
suspended from all football for the next seven months.
The English Premier League also ruled that Mutu's misconduct was
a unilateral breach of contract without just cause. In December
2005, an appeal filed by Mutu against the Premier League's decision
was dismissed.
Fifa made the decision after the Court of Arbitration for Sport
ruled in May 2007 that the world football body would decide what
fine Mutu should pay.
Chelsea had asked for £8million (€10 million) in compensation, a
claim that was based on the transfer value of Mutu, but Fifa have
now ruled Mutu must pay Chelsea €12million (£9.6million).
Mutu's lawyer, Cristian Sarbu, said the player would contest the
fine in a civil court. Sarbu added that the decision was not final
and Mutu would not pay any compensation until all legal avenues had
been exhausted.
"People should understand that this is a decision taken by a
sporting tribunal," Sarbu said. "After this is final, this decision
can be taken to a civil court."
