Fri Jun 6 15:37:22 2008

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Mutu to contest ruling

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Manchester, England (Sports Network) - Romania striker Adrian Mutu will appeal against FIFA's decision ordering him to pay Chelsea nearly $20 million for testing positive for cocaine.

The Blues sacked Mutu, who currently plays for Fiorentina, in October 2004 and he was subsequently handed a seven-month worldwide football ban.

However, the player's lawyer, Cristian Sarbu, confirmed that Mutu would be contesting the ruling.

"This is a decision taken by a sporting tribunal. After this is final, this can be taken to a civil court," he said.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled last May that the world football body would decide Mutu's fine.

Chelsea had asked for nearly $16 million in compensation for a player they bought for nearly $30 million from Parma in 2003.

The 29-year-old went on to play for Juventus before moving to Florence two years ago.

(Courtesy of sportbox.tv)