Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu has admitted testing positive for cocaine, the English Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) announced on Tuesday.
The Romania forward’s admission means that the second ”B” sample will not be taken, and the 25-year-old could face a ban of up to two years.
However, under the Football Association’s (FA) rules, the fact that he has admitted testing positive for what is a recreational drug means that he could yet avoid a ban in favour of counselling.
PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor announced the news on Tuesday morning.
”He [Mutu] will not be going ahead with the second test. He has tested positive for cocaine,” he said.
Mutu met with the PFA on Monday after news of the failed test was broken by the Mail on Sunday newspaper.
”There will be a hearing at the FA, which we hope can be held as quickly as possible to get the matter dealt with,” Taylor said.
Mutu’s future at Chelsea is less clear.
While the club would be keen to recoup some of the £15,8-million they paid Parma for him last season, he has had a series of disagreements with coach Jose Mourinho.
The FA said recently it is determined to step up its drug testing and enforcement procedures.
Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand was banned for eight months after missing a drugs test in September last year. — Sapa-DPA