Chelsea sack Mutu

Chelsea have confirmed the sacking of Romanian striker Adrian Mutu.

The Romanian found himself in the middle of a storm of controversy earlier in October when it emerged he failed a random drugs test.

Mutu admitted his guilt and said he would seek to undergo a stringent rehabilitation programme in a bid to overcome his problems.

The former Parma man and his advisors were looking for leniency from The FA, with the striker hoping for a limited ban.

Chelsea had remained quiet on the subject of discipline for Mutu, but reports this week suggested they had lost patience with the Romanian and were planning to cancel his contract.

The Blues have now confirmed this move, with the Stamford Bridge club saying they had no option but to follow their policy of 'zero tolerance' concerning such situations.

A statement from Chelsea read: "We want to make clear that Chelsea has a zero tolerance policy towards drugs.

"This applies to both performance-enhancing drugs or so-called 'recreational' drugs. They have no place at our club or in sport.

"In coming to a decision on this case, Chelsea believed the club's social responsibility to its fans, players, employees and other stakeholders in football regarding drugs was more important than the major financial considerations to the company.

"Any player who takes drugs breaches his contract with the club as well as FA rules. The club totally supports The FA in strong action on all drugs cases."

Chelsea, who sacked Mark Bosnich after he tested positive for cocaine, have effectively written off the £15.8 million they paid Parma for Mutu in 2003.

The move makes Mutu a free agent once he has served any ban imposed on him by The FA.