Romanian Footballer Adrian Mutu Suspended For 9 Months

Mutu was heard Monday by tribunal president Francesco Plotino and the federal prosecutor with the Italian Olympic Committee, Ettore Tori.

Mutu was accompanied by his lawyers Antonio D'Avirro and Paolo Rodella, and Professor Alessandro Mugelli and doctor Massimiliano Pieraccini were called to testify as experts.

Mutu, striker for Italy's Fiorentina, said he is displeased with the ruling which he deemed way too harsh. Mutu stressed he expected the tribunal to reduce his ban to less than nine months, adding a mere punishment would have sufficed.

Mutu also said he regrets having to leave Fiorentina stranded and apologized to the football club, his team and fans.

Mutu tested positive for sibutramine after a match against Bari in the Italian championship. Sibutramine is an anorectic or appetite suppressant, reducing the desire to eat.

Mutu, 31, tested positive for cocaine back in 2004, when he was playing for Chelsea London, was suspended for seven months over drugs use by the English Football Association. Mutu has been ordered to pay EUR17 million to Chelsea for breach of contract.

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