Chelsea dilemma over Mutu

Chelsea will wait until the Football Association investigation has run its course before deciding whether to punish shamed striker Adrian Mutu or stand by him.

An FA disciplinary commission into the Romanian striker's positive test for cocaine will consider whether to bring charges in the next few days and what action, if any, should be taken.

Mutu has sensationally confessed to taking drugs and has given up the right to have a B sample analysed following his positive A test earlier this month. When Chelsea goalkeeper Mark Bosnich tested positive for cocaine two years ago he was immediately suspended without pay, but the club are unlikely to take the same approach with Mutu.

The player admitted to taking cocaine in a lengthy meeting with his agents and chief executive Peter Kenyon last night, an unexpected confession that has left the club wrestling with a difficult dilemma.

If the 25-year-old had continued to protest his innocence Chelsea would have had more time to reach a considered decision but, with no need for a B sample, the timetable has now been accelerated. Mutu's confession will also increase his chances of receiving a more favourable hearing at the FA.

According to FA rules, the minimum punishment is a sixmonth ban but that's only if the player refuses to undergo counselling. If the player agrees then no ban is imposed.