Mutu remains positive

Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu will remain positive while he tries to prove his innocence after it was revealed he had failed a drugs test, according to his agent.

The Romanian international, whose future at Chelsea was already uncertain after a bust-up with manager Jose Mourinho, returned to London today to await the result of a B sample after a positive test for a non-performance enhancing drug came to light yesterday.

While the situation is on-going Mutu will be absent from training but Victor Becali said his client was determined he had not committed any offence.

“I have spent the day with Adrian Mutu, he is very sad and is in shock,” he told the Press Association.

“He wasn’t expecting this but he has to remain strong, life continues and he’s young and talented. Whatever happens, when he returns to the pitch, he will be stronger.

“The club has decided that as the situation is not clear that Adrian Mutu will not train with the club [but] the player believes he is innocent.”

Becali was keen to play down suggestions Mutu had tested positive for cocaine but, suggesting that he did not have faith with the procedures in this country, he said the player wanted his B sample to be examined in another country.

“I am certain that he hasn’t taken cocaine. The fact that people are saying that it is cocaine is speculation because it cannot be known that it is cocaine. It is confidential and the substance cannot be revealed,” he said.

“The player hasn’t decided yet to agree to take the B sample, because he would like that test to be taken outside of England.

“We don’t know yet if this is possible. If he was to await the results of the second test, he would have to wait a month. Obviously we want for this situation to be resolved as soon as possible.

“Of course if the test confirms that he has taken a banned substance, then he will be banned.

“We will decide once it is made official to have a meeting with club and to decide what to do in the best interests of both the club and the player.”