Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon feels the Football Association has not sufficiently punished their sacked star Adrian Mutu for failing a drugs test. Mutu was banned for seven months but Kenyon said: "Chelsea are disappointed. We believe it is far too lenient.
"It sends out the wrong message about drugs in football and is indicative of a lack of direction within the FA.
"In this case we believe the FA has shown itself to be weak over the issue of drugs."
However, the FA has hit back at Chelsea's claims.
Head of media Adrian Bevington said: "The FA takes all doping control matters extremely seriously.
"Increasing the testing programme to 1,600 tests this season from the previous level of 1,253 shows our commitment.
"We conduct more tests than any other sport in the UK and we have been acclaimed for this.
"The FA believes that it is important to balance rehabilitation and education with suspension, when appropriate, in cases of players who accept wrongdoing after failing a drug test.
"Thursday's verdict falls into line with guidelines set out by Fifa on doping control matters. "The player complied with taking a drugs test, accepted he had made a mistake and has committed himself to a clear process of rehabilitation. The FA firmly supports the decision of the independent disciplinary committee."
 |  We consider that we had a full and fair hearing |
Chelsea terminated Mutu's employment after target-testing the player and finding him guilty of taking a prohibited substance. The club insists they have acted in accordance with their zero-tolerance policy on drugs.
But Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor, who has been critical of Chelsea's drugs policy, said: "We are appreciative of the FA's attitude with regard to their emphasis on rehabilitation and education.
"From that point of view, we consider that we had a full and fair hearing."
Mutu also has the support of Romania coach Anghel Iordanescu, who has pledged to stand by his captain.
Iordanescu said: "I asked to Mutu to train with us to feel that he is still part of the national team of Romania."
And Mircea Sandu, chairman of the Romanian FA, added: "Adrian Mutu has admitted his mistake and will have to serve his sanction.
"But he will have the support of the players and the Romanian FA.
"We will see where he wants to train because he needs supervised preparations to continue his career at the highest level.
"But I have invited Mutu to join the national team of Romania at Yereven, to be together with his team-mates."
MMIX
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