Romania striker Adrian Mutu's troubled career has apparently taken
another negative turn with a positive doping test.
The Italian Olympic Committee said Thursday that traces of
Sibutramina, a stimulant that counters hunger, were discovered in
the Fiorentina striker's system following a Serie A game with Bari
on Jan. 10.
The 31-year-old Mutu is already facing the prospect of having
to pay €17 million (US$24 million) compensation after being
fired by former club Chelsea for using cocaine. Another doping
offense could result in a ban of up to four years.
Mutu was told of the news while training with Fiorentina. He
was pulled aside by club medical director Paolo Manetti and team
manager Roberto Ripa for a discussion, the Gazzetta dello Sport
reported on its Web site.
After struggling for months, Mutu had just started to regain
his form, scoring five goals this month - including one in the game
against Bari.
The Swiss Federal Court is nearing a ruling on Mutu's appeal
against the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which said he must pay
Chelsea compensation.
CAS ruled in July that FIFA was right to award Chelsea
compensation because Mutu breached his contract in 2004.
Chelsea fired Mutu for failing a drug test, then got nothing
when he served a seven-month ban and rebuilt his career in Italy.
Mutu joined Juventus as a free agent and then was sold after one
season for €8 million (US$11 million) to Serie A rival
Fiorentina.
Mutu has enjoyed the most successful period of his career at
the Florence club.
