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Sunday, January 31, 2010

Avatar

I saw Avatar last night. It was better 20 years ago when it was called Dances with Wolves. I cannot fathom that I actually believe Kevin Costner is a better actor than anyone in Avatar. I would think that James Cameron could have produced a better story line (he simply copied any story about the Trail of Tears (Cherokee Indians)) and pasted it into the future. What a waste of great special effects. I want the 3 hours of my life back (along with the amount of my tickets).

Friday, January 29, 2010

Adrian Mutu

Romanian striker Adrian Mutu, currently playing for Fiorentina of Serie A, has allegedly failed yet another drug test, seriously jeopardizing a promising, yet troubled, career. http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/adrian-mutu-fails-drug-test-1881997.html

You may recall that in October of 2004, Mutu, while playing for Chelsea (which had paid a £15.8 million transfer fee for Mutu), tested positive for cocaine. Chelsea subsequently terminated Mutu’s contract. In addition, FIFA handed down a 7 month suspension, which prevented Mutu from performing for any other club. Following his suspension, Mutu signed with Juventus FC. After a year with Juventus, Mutu was sold to his current club, Fiorentina.
http://www.tas-cas.org/d2wfiles/document/3459/5048/0/Award%201644%20FINAL.pdf

Chelsea subsequently sought compensation from Mutu related to the £15.8 million transfer fee and other damages. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) found in favor of Chelslea, and ordered Mutu to pay Chelsea £17 million in damages.
http://www.tas-cas.org/d2wfiles/document/3459/5048/0/Award%201644%20FINAL.pdf

There are intriguing legal issues with respect to the CAS award. Specifically, Chelsea sought, and was awarded damages based upon a contract between Chelsea and Parma, Mutu’s former club. Parma was the beneficiary of the £15.8 million transfer fee, not Mutu. Mutu was not party to the contract between Chelsea and Parma, yet the CAS held that Mutu, as a result of his testing positive for cocaine, was liable for the amount of the transfer fee (and other related damages).

In my opinion, the CAS decision is flawed. Michael Stival, a 2L at Rutgers School of Law, and I will be exploring the Mutu decision in an upcoming article. There are sure to be additional issues related to Mutu’s most recent positive drug test, which will also be explored in the article.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

First Post

I highly doubt that anyone cares what I have to say. That being said, I am hoping that at least one person (even if its only me) finds my missives of some value.