At least four Premiership clubs are reported to be interested in signing Mark Bosnich when his nine-month ban for testing positive to cocaine ends in September.

But the former Socceroo goalkeeper will have to expect a hefty pay cut from the STG42,000 ($A108,000) a week he was paid at Chelsea before failing a drugs test late last year.

Bosnich, 31, escaped a possible two-year ban when the Football Association disciplinary commission found him guilty of misconduct and breaching its doping laws.

The lenient sentence, backdated to December 23, was condemned by British sports minister Richard Caborn, who has written to the FA demanding an explanation.

But Bosnich, who denied knowingly taking the drug and claimed his drink was spiked, was devastated by the verdict.

He left the hearing in tears and plans to appeal.

"A lot of people outside the case will see it as a light sentence, but that is missing the point and I'm not surprised Mark is appealing," an unnamed friend of Bosnich's told British newspaper the Daily Star.

"He maintains his innocence and always will do and wants to play at the top level again."

Football agents say Bosnich should be able to find a new club because he will be available on a free transfer and because his suspension ends less than two months into next season.

Bolton, Manchester City, Birmingham and newly-promoted Portsmouth are all believed to be interested in signing him as a second-string keeper.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP