Chelsea win first Mutu battle

CHELSEA yesterday won the first battle in their legal fight to claim compensation from Adrian Mutu.

A Premier League tribunal ruled that he did breach his contract by testing positive for cocaine in a random drugs test last November and Chelsea are entitled to pursue a compensation claim through world governing body FIFA.

Chelsea, who paid £15.8m for the player from Parma, want to recoup as much as £8m in damages from the Romania striker, although it is understood that if FIFA order any payout it will come from his new club Juventus.

The Premiership leaders claimed Mutu’s actions forced them to write off £13 million in lost transfer value and wages.