Romania star Adrian Mutu, who was last week ordered by FIFA to pay former club Chelsea 17.2 million euros ($A29.26 million) after a failed drugs test in 2004, has said he would appeal the fine, calling it "unjust" and "inhumane".
"This is an unjust and inhumane sentence. We are going to appeal," Mutu told the press at Romania's training camp, as the squad prepare for Wednesday's friendly against Latvia.
"This sanction is not right, because I don't think I have committed a crime that merits such an amount," the Fiorentina player said, adding that he would be speaking to his lawyers.
Football's global ruling body ordered Mutu to pay Chelsea the massive amount last week, in connection with the striker's failed cocaine test in 2004 while playing for the Premier League club.
The 29-year-old was subsequently fined, banned from playing for seven months and shown the door at Stamford Bridge, eventually moving to Italian giants Juventus in 2005.
Last week's fine was the highest ever handed down by FIFA, and was based on lost earnings calculated on the length of time that Mutu's Chelsea contract still had left to run.
Chelsea were delighted at the ruling, saying it fully intended to recoup the money from the player.
"This is an important decision for football," a club statement read. "The decision also recognised the damaging effect incidents involving drugs has on football and the responsibilities we all have in this area."
