Adrian Mutu could avoid a ban from football despite testing positive for cocaine after he admitted, through Gordon Taylor, the chief executive of the Professional Footballers Association, to failing a drugs test and waived his right to have the B sample tested.
Football Association rules allow for players who test positive for recreational drugs to avoid a ban if they agree to take part in rehabilitation and admit the offence. The rule was introduced to give young players who stray a second chance, but could now be tested on football's highest-profile drug case since Rio Ferdinand.
Had Mutu contested the positive finding of the test carried out by UK Sport earlier this month, he would almost certainly have faced six months out of the game. In the event it was not his first offence the ban would have increased to two years and almost certainly ended his Chelsea career.
In an extraordinary move Mutu's admission came from Taylor, who met with him and one of his advisers on Monday night.
Taylor stressed the difference between performance-enhancing and recreational drugs, and may have been attempting to influence the FA hearing into Mutu's conduct. "He will not be going ahead with the second test, he has tested positive for cocaine," Taylor said. "There will be a hearing at the FA, which we hope can be held as quickly as possible."
Should Mutu escape with a course of rehabilitation Chelsea will be faced with a dilemma. It would be far easier to terminate his contract, as they did with Mark Bosnich, if he were banned. If he were able to play there would be some merit in retaining his services, but given his deteriorating relationship with the manager, Jose Mourinho, it is more likely the club would attempt to recoup some of the £15.8 million they paid for him.
Meanwhile, Standard Liege forward Alexandros Kaklamanos has been sacked by the Belgian club after his B sample confirmed a positive test for cocaine. The Greek player tested positive after a game against FC Brussels on August 28th.
Newcastle manager Graeme Souness has ordered striker Craig Bellamy to button his lip after finding himself the target of a four-letter tirade at Charlton. The tough-talking Scot has reviewed the Welshman's reaction after he was substituted during the 1-1 draw at the Valley on Sunday.
"It has to stop and it will stop, I guarantee the supporters that. He (Bellamy) in particular has to sort himself out," Souness told Sky Sports News.
A knee scan on Aston Villa's Gareth Barry has revealed no long-term damage. The former England under-21 captain got the knock against Arsenal at the weekend but could be back in action within two weeks.
Manchester City's Sun Jihai has had a scan on his injured knee but the club fear he will be out for the rest of the season.
The China international damaged his cruciate and medial ligaments in a challenge with Eidur Gudjohnsen in the first half against Chelsea at the weekend.
Tottenham captain Jamie Redknapp has requested a personal hearing after denying the Football Association's charge of violent conduct for a challenge on Everton's Tim Cahill. And although it is unlikely to help him escape a three-match ban it ensures he is free to return to the side this Saturday at home to Bolton.
