Chelsea player faces club quiz over failed drugs test

Chelsea star Adrian Mutu was today having crisis talks with his club following claims he has failed a drugs test.

Mutu can expect to be treated no less harshly than Mark Bosnich, the former Chelsea goalkeeper who failed a drugs test in November 2002. He was banned for nine months and his contract with the club was terminated three months later.

Mutu's agent, Victor Becali, said he would be arriving in London today to investigate allegations that the player tested positive for cocaine.

"I only heard that this is not a recent test. I think it was done in September. I spoke with Mutu on Saturday and he did not say anything to me about this story," Mr Becali said. "But after I heard the story I called him and he was absolutely shocked."

Mutu, who earns £60,000 a week, can now request that a second sample is analysed. The Romanian has already had his £700,000 Pepsi sponsorship deal suspended, it was reported today. The random test was carried out last month as part of a clampdown on drug-taking by governmentfunded body UK Sport.

This is the latest in a long line of incidents to hit Mutu and comes a year after a bitter divorce from his TV presenter wife. In court papers filed in Bucharest, Mutu claimed his wife Alexandra, 21, was superficial, duplicitous, unfaithful and an unfit mother to their 11-month-old boy Mario.

Only two weeks ago it was reported his Chelsea career was in the balance after he failed to show up for training and had a row with manager Jose Mourinho. He was forced to apologise and fined two week's wages. Chelsea refused to comment about Mutu's reported positive drugs test.