LONDON (AFP) - English Premiership side Chelsea have sacked Adrian Mutu after the Romania striker failed a drugs test.
The 25-year-old tested positive for a banned substance - which he later denied was cocaine - in September.
Chelsea have decided to write off a possible transfer fee for Mutu, a 15.8 million pound signing from Parma last season, who may face a two-year ban from the game.
He scored six goals in his first five games after arriving at Stamford Bridge but his form went into decline and he was frozen out by new coach Jose Mourinho this season.
Mutu claimed he did not test positive for cocaine as initially reported but for a substance designed to increase his sexual strength.
A statement from Chelsea said: "We want to make clear that Chelsea has a zero tolerance policy towards drugs.
"This applies to both performance-enhancing drugs or so-called `recreational` drugs. They have no place at our club or in sport.
"In coming to a decision on this case, Chelsea believed the club`s social responsibility to its fans, players, employees and other stakeholders in football regarding drugs was more important than the major financial considerations to the company.
"Any player who takes drugs breaches his contract with the club as well as FA rules. The club totally supports the FA in strong action on all drugs cases."
Chelsea`s decision to terminate his contract is entirely independent of any Football Association disciplinary procedures.
Friday`s statement reiterating their "zero tolerance" to drugs sparked an angry response from Professional Footballers Association chief executive Gordon Taylor.
He accused the club of target-testing Mutu "with a view to getting rid of him", adding that Chelsea had a "duty of care" to Mutu and criticised the club for opting not to help the player with some form of rehabilitation instead of sacking him.
But Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenton took issue with Taylor, launching a spirited defence of the club`s stance.
He told BBC Radio 5 Live: "We`ve reached a difficult decision but one we firmly believe is right for Chelsea.
"You look to players to be role models and he was clearly in breach of contract. The contract is very specific and players who take enhancing or social drugs...there is just no room for it.
"The FA rules are quite clear and all our players are aware of them. After a clinical assessment we thought it necessary to target test the player and the test proved positive.
"We are within our rights to target test, within the FA doping controls, and, having tested positive we dismissed him.
"We informed Adrian Mutu of our decision last night and his response is between Adrian and I.
"There is now an FA disciplinary procedure which is being processed and he will go before that in the next couple of weeks.``
Earlier Taylor took Chelsea to task, saying: "The attitude may be zero tolerance but you would expect any employer to be interested in the moral and social welfare of its employees.
"It is not a policy we would approve of but it is one we have no surprise at.
"We consider they have a duty of care. I find it astonishing in this day and age there are valuable players - and they have spent millions on Adrian Mutu - and they are not prepared to discuss the situation with him and look to set an example and encourage rehabilitation and getting him back on track.
"Quite a number of other clubs have been prepared to engage in rehabilitation of the player."
Taylor also expressed his disbelief at the suggestion Chelsea may seek to pursue a claim for compensation in an attempt to recoup some of the considerable loss they have sustained on a player.
"Chelsea have chosen to take this stance, they have done and they can choose zero tolerance but they can`t then sack a player and say he can`t go to another club to get compensation," he said.

10/29/2004 - 14:08 GMT - AFP