Mutu gives positive tests

ACF Fiorentina striker Adrian Mutu tested positive for a banned substance after the Serie A fixture against AS Bari on 10 January and again after his club's Coppa Italia meeting with S.S. Lazio ten days later, the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) has announced.

A sample positive
Sibutramine was found in the Romanian international's A urine sample following the 2-1 victory over Bari in Florence earlier this month. Traces of the same substance were detected in Mutu's A sample after the Viola's 3-2 home win against Lazio in the cup on 20 January. Fiorentina had responded to the first findings with the statement: "After taking note of the CONI statement about Mutu's doping test failure, ACF Fiorentina – while confirming the club's strong opposition to the use of any kind of banned substance, even as a dietary supplement – believe in Adrian Mutu's good faith and will try to clear up the situation as soon as possible."

Previous ban
The 31-year-old Mutu was banned for seven months by the English Football Association in November 2004, a suspension extended worldwide by FIFA, after testing positive for cocaine during his time at Chelsea FC, who sacked the player. He has scored four goals in eleven Serie A games this season, and three in four UEFA Champions League outings as the Viola qualified for the first knockout round.