Chelsea entitled to Mutu compensation

The Premier League appeals committee have given Chelsea permission to seek compensation following Adrian Mutu’s move to Juventus.

Chelsea sacked Mutu back in October after the Romanian striker was banned after testing positive for cocaine.

The striker subsequently joined Juventus, signing a five-year contract.

Mutu is not eligible to play again until the start of next season, as his ban runs until May, but the fact that a player they signed for £16m was then able to move on a free transfer, has annoyed Chelsea.

Fifa will have the final word on the issues, as a statement from the Premier League read: “The appeals committee concluded that the conduct of the player in taking banned drugs was gross misconduct which entitled the club to treat the player’s contract as at an end and amounted to a unilateral breach without just cause or sporting just cause.

“The club is therefore entitled to proceed to seek compensation and sporting sanctions from the dispute resolution chamber (DRC) of FIFA.”