Striker Adrian Mutu has vowed to rebuild his career and reputation when his seven-month ban for failing a drugs test ends.
Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon last night stressed the club's opposition to the outcome of the disciplinary hearing, accusing the Football Association of being weak on the issue of drugs.
Although Chelsea have taken a hard-line approach, having already terminated Mutu's contract and threatening to hold onto his registration, the 25-year-old striker is hoping to be allowed to restart his career away from Stamford Bridge next season.
While Mutu, who was also fined £20,000, made no direct comment, Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor revealed the striker's thoughts after the hearing.
"Adrian admitted the charge from the beginning and accepted his responsibility," declared Taylor, with Mutu standing just behind him.
"He is sorry for the problems that have been caused and he very soon wants to restore his good name in the international football world and particularly in his homeland of Romania.
"He is now looking forward to getting his career back on track in top-class football after next May."
Mutu's ban is shorter than the nine months previously handed out to Mark Bosnich, although the Australian keeper refused to accept his guilt in a similar case, as well as the eight months given to Rio Ferdinand.
While Ferdinand missed a drugs test, rather than failing one, the FA were mindful that imposing a harsher penalty on Mutu, who had admitted his guilt, could encourage some players to refuse to give a sample.
Kenyon nevertheless declared: "Chelsea are extremely disappointed with this verdict. We believe it is far too lenient and sends out the wrong message about drugs in football.
"It is also indicative of a lack of direction within the FA at this time. As a club, we can only take the action that we believe is right for Chelsea.
"However, the FA have a much wider responsibility to look after the interests of the game as a whole and, in this case, we believe it has shown itself to be weak over the issue of drugs."
