Romania recalls striker Adrian Mutu for World Cup qualifiers

AP Worldstream
May 20, 2005

Romania recalled striker Adrian Mutu for next month’s World Cup
qualifiers against the Netherlands and Armenia.

Mutu is serving a seven-month ban after testing positive for cocaine
while playing for Chelsea. The ban expires at the end of May, leaving
the striker free for the matches on June 4 and 8.

“Mutu is still one of the best Romanian players,” coach Victor
Piturca said.

The striker is now with Italian side Juventus. Piturca said he
hoped Mutu would play at least one game before the end of the season
in Italy.

Including Mutu, Piturca called up 15 foreign-based players.

The Netherlands tops Group 1 with 16 points, one more than the Czech
Republic. Romania is third with 13 points, but has played one more
game than the top two teams.