Story By: Joseph Golder,Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Golder’s News And Sport

Adrian Mutu’s former agent has suggested that Jose Mourinho knew about the Chelsea striker’s cocaine use before he sent him to be drug tested.

It has also been claimed that the Chelsea boss at the time sent other players along with the Romanian striker to be tested so Mutu would not be embarrassed.

Ioan “Giovanni” Becali, 67, who is one of Mutu’s former agents, hinted that Mourinho was made aware of the striker’s drug habit when the Portuguese coach arrived at the club in 2004.

Mutu was signed by Mourinho’s predecessor Claudio Ranieri for 22.5 million EUR (15.8 million GBP) in August 2003.

Becali said on the “Digi Sport Matinal” programme on Romanian TV: “When Mourinho came to Chelsea I talked to him for three hours about Mutu. Ranieri, before leaving, left a list of all the players. About Mutu, he said that he had qualities, that he could decide a match alone, but that he needed to be very careful about his private life.”

Becali added: “Mourinho also knew about Mutu.”

He went on: “There were also pictures of his escapades. At one point, Mourinho got tired and sent Mutu to take a doping test. So as to avoid humiliating him, he did not send Mutu alone, but with two more (players). And only Adrian came up positive for cocaine.”

Mutu tested positive for cocaine whilst under Mourinho’s management in September 2004 and was banned from football for seven months.

On 7th May 2008, the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber ordered Mutu to pay 17 million EUR (15.2 million GBP) in compensation to Chelsea FC for breach of contract. The fine was the highest ever levied by FIFA.

Mutu later signed for Juventus and Fiorentina in Serie A and finished his club career with 203 goals in 528 appearances.

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