Mutu escapes with seven month suspension

Adrian Mutu was today suspended from football for a period of seven months and fined £20,000 (€28,000) following a Football Association disciplinary hearing into his failed drugs test.

Mutu’s ban is conditional on him successfully completing a period of rehabilitation and is backdated to start on October 25.

That means the former Chelsea striker’s suspension will conclude on May 18 - meaning he will not return to action before next season at the earliest.

A statement on the FA’s official website, www.thefa.com, read: “Following a Disciplinary Commission at Soho Square today, Adrian Mutu has been suspended for seven months, subject to the player successfully completing a programme of education and rehabilitation.

“He was also fined £20,000 and will be subject to target testing throughout the period of the suspension.

“This follows Mutu’s failing a doping control test after using a prohibited substance.

“However, the commission did take into account the mitigation put forward by the player. His suspension includes the period already served under an interim suspension order, beginning on October 25, and will run until May 18, 2005.”

The 25-year-old striker admitted to taking an illegal substance and was sacked by Chelsea last week.

Mutu has already started his rehabilitation at the Sporting Chance Clinic and previously stated he does not intend to appeal against the decision of the hearing.

PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor credited the FA with according the player a “fair hearing” and added Mutu now wants to get his career back on track.

“He has admitted the charge and accepted his responsibility and he now wants to restore his good name in the international football world and particularly in his homeland of Romania,” said Taylor.