Fiorentina and Romania striker Adrian Mutu has tested positive for the appetite suppressant drug sibutramine, the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) said yesterday.

Mutu, sacked by English Premier League club Chelsea in 2004 after using cocaine, gave a positive sample on Jan. 10 at the Serie A game between Fiorentina and Bari.

"In the first sample analysed, the presence of a metabolite of sibutramine has been revealed for Adrian Mutu," the statement said.

CONI gave no further details but have a long track record of pursuing bans for sportspeople who fail tests - even if they took drugs by accident.

However, CONI did absolve Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro last year when documentation was not filed correctly by Juventus after he received emergency treatment for a wasp sting.

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