Adrian Mutu fails second doping test
Mutu's career could be over following second failed drugs test
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By Matt Hallam. |  |
Thursday, 28, Jan 2010 06:27
By Michael Younger.
The career of Fiorentina striker and Romanian international Adrian Mutu hangs in the balance, according to his agent, following news that he has failed a second doping test.
The Italian Olympic Committee confirmed on Thursday that the former Chelsea hitman failed an anti-doping test after La Viola's 2-1 victory over Bari on January 10th, when traces of the banned anti-obesity drug Sibutramine were found in a sample.
Fiorentina are yet to release a statement, although the latest news from Florence is that Mutu interrupted his afternoon training session and was escorted off the pitch and into the changing rooms by the Viola's club doctor and team manager.
A statement on the Italian Olympic Committees official website reads: "Coni communicates that, following laboratory tests in Roma, a positive case has been found.
"In the first player who was tested, the presence of traces of the substance Sibutramine was found for Adrian Mutu during a routine control of the anti-doping committee on January 10th in Florence, during the Serie A game between Fiorentina and Bari."
Having completed a seven-month ban after testing positive for cocaine whilst playing for Chelsea in 2004 - Mutu could still be forced to pay a 17m euro fine to the London club for breach of contract with the Swiss Federal Court nearing a ruling on his appeal against the Court of Arbitration for Sport).
The 31-year-old has recently found his form again having scored seven times this season - including a goal in the Bari win - but he has hit the back pages around the world for his off-pitch antics.
If the tests are confirmed it appears the repercussions this time could be heavier, with reports suggesting he could be banned for anything between one and four years - effectively ending his career.
As Gigi Becali, the player's agent, told Romanian Channel GspTC: "If the result is confirmed then Adrian can wave goodbye to his career."