CAS backs Chelsea over Mutu case

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has backed Chelsea's bid to receive compensation from former player Adrian Mutu. Chelsea have been seeking compensation from the Romanian forward since terminating his contract in October 2004 as a result of the player's positive test for cocaine.

In a ruling yesterday, the court said it was up to FIFA to determine "what sporting sanction and/or financial compensation should be imposed upon the player."

FIFA's Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC) said in October 2006 that it did not have jurisdiction to handle the question of compensation - an argument which has been overturned by yesterday's ruling.

Mutu's lawyers had also sought to challenge FIFA's jurisdiction in the case despite having formerly recognised the DRC's right to impose sanctions.

"The Panel has the clear impression that the sudden change of position adopted by the player before the DRC was purely opportunistic," CAS stated yesterday.

Mutu joined Chelsea from Parma on a five-year contract in August 2003 but tested positive during a targeted drug test conducted by the English Football Association.

Chelsea's decision to sack the player was backed by the Premier League which ruled that Mutu's misconduct constituted a breach of contract.

CAS was also involved in that case, turning down in December 2005 an appeal brought by Mutu himself.

As well as being sacked by Chelsea, Mutu was handed a seven-month ban from the sport.

While still serving out that ban, he was signed by Juventus before joining his current club Fiorentina in July 2006.