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LONDON, England -- Romanian striker Adrian Mutu was banned from soccer for seven months by the English FA on Thursday after being found guilty of taking a banned substance.

Chelsea sacked the 25-year-old last Friday for cocaine use and slammed the FA's action as "far too lenient" after Mutu attended a disciplinary hearing at the ruling body's London headquarters.

Mutu was also fined 20,000 pounds ($36,800) by the FA and will be subject to target testing throughout the period of suspension.

"Adrian Mutu has been suspended for seven months, subject to the player successfully completing a programme of education and rehabilitation," the FA said on its website.

Chelsea fired Mutu last month for "gross misconduct" after he tested positive in an out-of-competition check in September at the club's training ground.

"Chelsea is extremely disappointed with today's verdict," chief executive Peter Kenyon said.

"We believe it's far too lenient and sends out the wrong message about drugs in football. It's also indicative of a lack of direction within the FA.

"In this case, it (the FA) has shown itself to be weak over the issue of drugs."

Mutu's ban includes the period already served under an interim suspension order, beginning on October 25, and will run until May 18 2005.

"The FA decision has opened the doors for Mutu's comeback in normal life and through high level soccer too," said his agent Gheorghe Popescu.

"Mutu has had (a few) terrible weeks, which has helped him to became mature. He's watching his own past with different eyes. I can tell you that he was very critical of himself and you'll see a different Mutu after May 18 2005."

However, the ban falls short of the two-year minimum recommended by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

"Mutu can move to another club even from tomorrow," said Poepscu. "Now it's our (his agents') duty to find him the shortest way to became even stronger than he was."

Mutu has the right to appeal against his punishment although he indicated before Thursday's hearing that he would not do so.

Speaking before the ban was announced, Mutu's joint-agent Victor Becali said: "We are not worrying about Mutu's future. We (Mutu's agents) already received proposals from four clubs for Mutu, even without knowing his ban yet.

"Two of them are from England," he added without elaborating.

Last season the FA banned Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand for eight months for missing a drugs test.

Former Chelsea goalkeeper Mark Bosnich was banned for nine months last year for cocaine use.

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