Fiorentina striker Adrian Mutu is frustrated by his ban.

The Romanian striker was suspended after testing positive in an anti-doping test in January.

His mother had brought back some slimming pills from Romania, which contained a banned substance.

"After what happened in January I decided to stay silent to leave my family in peace," he said.

"My mother couldn't have known that there was that substance. It was written on the box that they were 100 per cent natural, but unfortunately it was a false product and my lawyers are busying themselves with this.

"My mistake was that of treating the question superficially without consulting the doctor as you always do. I had no need of the substance. I only wanted to slim down.

"I am sorry that I wasn't able to play the second half of last season and that I couldn't give my contribution in Serie A and the Champions League.

"Physically I feel well."