Fiorentina striker Adrian Mutu is ready to appeal against the ruling that he owes Chelsea £14.5 million in compensation.

Mutu was accused by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland with a breach of contract after he tested positive for cocaine.

"I have to respect the sentence from the Court of Lausanne but it is my right to express my disagreement towards this decision," claimed Mutu.

"The amount which I am due to pay is enormous and way above expectations. I feel I have already paid for that error. I was a young and naïve man back then, now I have become a completely different person and footballer.

"I cannot see why I have been asked to pay for an error which I committed a long time ago, also considering that Chelsea decided to fire me against my will.

"I am a man of sport, a European citizen and I believe that sporting jurisdiction should respect the principles of the community. I will consider any sort of appeal to defend my rights.

"Also I would like to thank Fiorentina, the directors, my teammates and the fans for the support and solidarity shown. I can promise them that I will keep on fighting for my and their honour," concluded the Romanian.