Mutu in positive doping test

ROME: Fiorentina’s Romanian striker Adrian Mutu tested positive for a banned stimulant after a Serie A match against Bari earlier this month, the Italian Olympic Committee (Coni) announced on Thursday.

Mutu, 31, tested positive for sibutramine after the 2-1 victory over Bari in which the Romanian scored, Coni said. Mutu, who risks a ban of between one and four years, is already facing problems also related to drug abuse. Mutu was fired by Chelsea after a positive test for cocaine in 2004, not long after joining the English Premier League club. The Court of Arbitration for Sport last year upheld the 17.17-million-euro fine handed to Mutu by FIFA as a punishment for breaching his contract with Chelsea. The Romanian says he is unable to pay the fine but has offered to make a donation to a charity in its place.