Mutu lodges appeal over damages

Former Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu has filed an appeal against Fifa's ruling that he must pay the club £13.68m in damages for breach of contract.

Mutu, who cost the Blues £15m in 2003, was sacked a year later after he tested positive for cocaine, and was given a seven-month worldwide football ban.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said it is likely to give its decision within the next four months.

"It is an unjust and inhumane sentence," said Mutu, 29, last month.

"This sanction is not right, because I don't think I have committed a crime that merits such an amount."

"It is extremely strange that a player who is dismissed by a club must pay damages based on the transfer amount previously paid for him, whilst he has had no control whatsoever on the amount of this fee"
International players' union FIFPro

After being sacked by Chelsea and serving his ban, the Romanian joined Juventus in January 2005, and at the end of the following season he moved to his current side, Fiorentina.

When Fifa announced its verdict, Chelsea welcomed it, calling it "a very significant decision for football".

The Chelsea statement went on: "Not only did the Dispute Resolution Chamber make us a very significant monetary award, it also recognised the damaging effect incidents involving drugs have on football and the responsibility we all have in this area."

The fine, based on lost earnings, was calculated on the length of time Mutu's contract had left to run, and was the highest ever handed down by Fifa.

International players' union FIFPro said last month it would back Mutu's appeal, alleging Mutu was discriminated against on the grounds of his nationality.

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"When the same offence would have been committed by a player in possession of an English passport, then this player wouldn't have had to pay any damages at this dismissal, since the FA Premier League rules do not provide this," said a FIFPro statement.

"For this reason this can be considered as discrimination based on nationality.

"It is extremely strange that a player who is dismissed by a club must pay damages based on the transfer amount previously paid for him, whilst he has had no control whatsoever on the amount of this fee."

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