Source: Eurosport
Mutu loses appeal against Chelsea fine
Former Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu has lost his appeal against FIFA's ruling that he must pay the English club 17 million euros in damages for breach of contract.
Mutu, who cost the Blues ¦pound;15m in 2003, was sacked a year later after he tested positive for cocaine, and was given a seven-month worldwide football ban.
A statement released by the Court of Arbitration for Sport read: "The (CAS) has dismissed the appeal filed by the Romanian football player, Adrian Mutu, against the decision rendered by the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC) on 7 May 2008 in which he was ordered to pay 17,173,990 euros compensation to his former club, Chelsea FC, for breach of contract."
After being axed by Chelsea and serving his ban, the Romanian joined Juventus in January 2005, and at the end of the following season he moved to Fiorentina.
In May last year, Mutu was ordered to pay the damages by FIFA's Dispute Resolution Chamber but the player lodged an appeal.
However on Friday, the CAS dismissed Mutu's appeal and confirmed that the player must pay 17,173,990 euros in compensation to Chelsea.
"The CAS Panel concluded that the appeal brought by the player was to be dismissed and the measure of damages, as awarded by the DRC, was to be confirmed. Adrian Mutu must therefore pay EUR 17,173,990 to Chelsea FC," the statement continued.
When FIFA announced its verdict last year, Chelsea called it "a very significant decision for football".
The Chelsea statement at that time read: "Not only did the Dispute Resolution Chamber make us a very significant monetary award, it also recognised the damaging effect incidents involving drugs have on football and the responsibility we all have in this area."
Mutu's fine was based on lost earnings and was calculated on the length of time his contract had left to run. It was the highest ever handed down by FIFA.
