Mutu apologizes for attacking barman

Adrian Mutu has apologized to Fiorentina for attacking a barman over the weekend, little more than a week before his return from a doping ban.

In a statement released to Italian news agency ANSA, Mutu says, ''I want to offer my sincerest and deepest apologies to the owners, club, coaching staff, my teammates and all the fans. I realize that what happened should have never happened.''

Still, Mutu could be fined or banned by Fiorentina, delaying his expected return from a nine-month doping ban against Catania on Sunday. Mutu has twice tested positive for the banned stimulant sibutramine.

Witnesses said Mutu attacked a barman in Florence early Saturday after arguing about the bill, punching him twice and kicking him while he was on the floor.