But while the FA defended their approach, stressing their commitment to their drugs test scheme, Mutu was continuing the rehabilitation programme on which he has embarked after the positive sample for a recreational drug, understood to be cocaine.

Although Chelsea have taken a hard-line approach, having already terminated Mutu’s contract and threatening to hold onto his registration, the 25-year-old striker is hoping to be allowed to restart his career away from Stamford Bridge next season.

While Mutu, who was also fined £20,000 (€28,600), made no direct comment, Professional Footballers’ Association chief executive Gordon Taylor revealed the striker’s thoughts after the hearing.

“Adrian admitted the charge from the beginning and accepted his responsibility,” declared Taylor, with Mutu standing just behind him.

“He is sorry for the problems that have been caused and he very soon wants to restore his good name in the international football world and particularly in his homeland of Romania. He is now looking forward to getting his career back on track in top-class football after next May.”

Mutu’s ban finishes after the end of the domestic season on May 18, but that - at least in theory – could make him available for Romania’s World Cup qualifiers against Holland on June 4 and Armenia on June 8.

Indeed, Romania coach Anghel Iordanescu told PA International: “I asked Mutu to come with us [for training] to feel that he is still part of national team of Romania.”

Wolves’ Romanian international Vio Ganea, meanwhile, stressed: “I am happy that Mutu got a satisfactory punishment. He should be glad for seven months, it could have been worse.”

That is certainly what Chelsea believed, with the club having expressed their discontent with the FA punishment in the strongest terms.

Mutu’s ban is shorter than the nine months previously handed out to Mark Bosnich, although the Australian keeper refused to accept his guilt in a similar case, as well as the eight months given to Rio Ferdinand.

While Ferdinand missed a drugs test, rather than failing one, the FA were mindful that imposing a harsher penalty on Mutu, who had admitted his guilt, could encourage some players to refuse to give a sample.

Kenyon nevertheless declared: “Chelsea are extremely disappointed with this verdict. We believe it is far too lenient and sends out the wrong message about drugs in football.

“It is also indicative of a lack of direction within the FA at this time. As a club, we can only take the action that we believe is right for Chelsea.

“However, the FA have a much wider responsibility to look after the interests of the game as a whole and, in this case, we believe it has shown itself to be weak over the issue of drugs.”

FA head of media Adrian Bevington responded: “The FA take all doping control matters extremely seriously. Increasing the testing programme to 1,600 tests this season from the previous level of 1,253 shows our commitment to the testing programme.

“We conduct more tests than any other sport in the UK and we have been acclaimed for this. The FA believe that it is important to balance rehabilitation and education with suspension, when appropriate, in cases of players who accept wrongdoing after failing a drugs test.

“This verdict falls into line with guidelines set out by FIFA on doping control matters. The player complied with taking a drugs test, accepted he had made a mistake and has committed himself to a clear process of rehabilitation. The FA firmly support the decision of the independent disciplinary commission.”