Fiorentina's Mutu banned until October

Fiorentina and Romania striker Adrian Mutu has been suspended until Oct. 29 for testing positive for a banned appetite suppressant, Italy's anti-doping tribunal ruled yesterday.

An anti-doping prosecutor had asked for a one-year ban but Mutu's representatives argued he should serve just a three- or four-month suspension because they said he consumed sibutramin by accident in a herbal laxative medicine.

The tribunal announced the nine-month ban at a court hearing in Rome but given he has been serving a provisional suspension since failing the two drugs tests in January, the 31-year-old will be able to return to action at the end of October.

"I'm not happy. Such a long ban for a laxative pill seems really excessive," Mutu said in a statement read out to reporters by his lawyer Paolo Rodella, who said the player may now appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).