Chelsea livid at FA fine for Mutu test

Chelsea rounded on the Football Association yesterday after it fined the champions £40,000 for "breaching doping control regulations" by performing an independent drugs test on the striker Adrian Mutu.

Mutu, now with the Italian club Fiorentina, was sacked by Chelsea and served a seven-month ban following another test that proved positive for cocaine.

Chelsea said in a statement they were "totally committed" to the fight against drugs in football.

"While we accept there was a technical breach of doping regulations, we find it extraordinary that we have been found guilty of trying to undermine the drug testing system.

"Moreover, the level of fine is outrageous and totally unjustified and we will now consider an appeal. The FA would be better served using its resources to increasing the effectiveness of its random testing and applying the toughest penalties available."