Romanian football player Adrian Mutu to pay EUR17m damages to Chelsea football club

The British football club decided to void Mutu's contract in October 2004 after the player was discovered to be consuming cocaine. Chelsea then sued the Romanian player and demanded 17 million euro compensatory damages, about 8 million euros less than it paid to the Italian football club Parma for his transfer in 2003.

Mutu's lawyer in Romania, Cristian Sarbu, declared today his client could not pay the 17 million euros only if he reaches an agreement with the British club. He mentioned Mutu could win the trial in a civil court as there are different rules.

Sarbu also mentioned this is the highest fine in the history of football.
Mutu asked CAS on May 7 to cancel the FIFA decision in which he was ordered to pay 17 million euros in compensation to his former club, Chelsea FC, for breach of contract.

The Romanian player can contest the decision only at the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland.

Adrian Mutu is currently playing for the Italian football club Fiorentina and has a salary of 2.5 million euros a year. His fortune is estimated at about 13 million euros.