Nope, this is not a joke!

Sports News - November 26, 2008

Fiorentina striker Adrian Mutu is pledging to fight against the order to pay Chelsea €17million compensation as he issues an open letter to FIFA, Sep Blatter, and the English club, according to the Italian media.

The striker was ordered to pay the mega sum following his drugs taking case which dates back to October 2004. Mutu claims he does not have the money to pay Chelsea, and he is pleading with the club and authorities in an attempt to find a solution.

Now, the player has apparently issued an open letter to Italian press agency ANSA, and the idea is to donate money to a charity as he cannot pay the compensation.

An extract of the letter, as reported by Sky Sport Italia, reads:

“To Chelsea, the FIFA disciplinary committee and FIFA president Josep Blatter

“I write this letter in relation to the €17,183,990 that I have to pay. I do not share the reasons that are the base of this verdict and my intention if necessary is to continue this battle to defend my rights as a footballer.

“I cannot pay such a sum, no-body in my conditions would be able to do so. I think the best way to answer this question would be to donate money to a charity of Chelsea’s choice that helps youngsters caught up in drug abuse whether it’s in London, England or Romania.

“Signed, Adrian Mutu.”

Despite the reports of the letter which has been attributed to Mutu, the player has not confirmed or substantiated them so far. (Goal.com)

Clearly Mr. Mutu is trying very hard to appeal to Chelsea’s charitable nature and If I were replying for the west London club I would suggest that Mutu first pays up the sum and then state that when he does so the club will decide which charities should benefit.

The Romanian is being incredibly cheeky about the whole scenario and I was appalled to learn that his Serie A employers were trying to get the City of Florence to initiate some fund raising events to help the former Chelsea striker, which is absurd.

The guy broke club rules and cost the club a large sum of money. Whilst the fee he has to pay back may be large he is still very much the bringer of his own doom and shouldn’t look to others to dig him out of his self dug hole!


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