Mutu tests positive for banned substance, faces 4-year ban

Fiorentina's Romanian striker, Adrian Mutu, had to undertake a drug test at the end of the game against Bari, on January 10th. The sample tested positive for sibutramine, a banner substance detected in Mutu's urine. This is a drug used for hunger-suppresion in cases of extreme obesity.

Mutu is considered a repeat offender, and under the WADA Code he stands to be banned between 1 and 4 years from football. He has previously served a 7 month ban, being punished in October 2004, when he was playing for Chelsea, for cocaine consumption.

In the game against Bari, at the end of which he gave the positive sample, the Romanian striker had scored the equaliser for Fiorentina. Mutu had scored 6 goals in 2010 for Fiorentina in the Italian League & Cup. He has now been suspended by the team.