PFA boss Gordon Taylor has claimed Chelsea deliberately set out remove striker Adrian Mutu from the club by singling him out for the drugs test he subsequently failed.
The Professional Footballers' Association chief executive also criticised the club for not attempting to help the player with some form of rehabilitation instead of sacking him for gross misconduct.
Earlier, the London club released a statement defending the decision to release Mutu by saying they had a policy of "zero-tolerance" to uphold.
Taylor dismissed that argument, saying: "The attitude maybe 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," he added.
By cancelling the Romanian international's contract Chelsea have written off his possible transfer value (estimated at €17million).
The 25-year-old has is the second player to be sacked by the club for the use of cocaine following Mark Bosnich's dismissal for the same offence two years ago.
In the statement the club re-affirmed their "zero-tolerance" position on players taking 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.
However, the London club are considering all options available to them in relation to recouping the financial loss they have incurred as a result of their action.
The FA have yet to act in relation to the Mutu's failure of the UK Sport drugs test, and the footballing body maintained their silence on the issue this morning.
