Abidjan (AFP)

The international football federation (Fifa) began on Monday its hearings concerning the imbroglio around the election of the president of the Ivorian Federation, a position coveted by the former star Didier Drogba.

FIFA and the African Football Confederation (CAF) heard on Monday the former Minister of Sports and president of the electoral commission René Diby, then the vice-president of this commission Ernest Kaunan.

They must also hear from the candidates and various actors of the crisis.

Fifa suspended on August 27 the electoral process within the Ivorian Federation (Fif) after the rejection of Didier Drogba's file.

He had seen his candidacy invalidated because he did not have sufficient sponsorships, according to the commission.

The former Chelsea and Marseille striker, trained in France, had obtained the sponsorship of three clubs including Africa Sport, but this support had not been validated because it was given by his vice-president and not the president.

Drogba, who was unable to obtain the support of the players 'associations, also presented the sponsorship of the referees' association.

But, there too, the electoral commission had rejected this sponsorship which did not emanate from the president of the association.

The election, in the form of an imbroglio with incessant infighting, has become a soap opera since June with several interventions from Fifa.

This rejection shows the star's difficulties in establishing himself in his country, despite his status, his record, his hundred selections (65 goals) and his fortune.

One of the most popular in the country, Drogba, who has long carried the Ivorian selection on his shoulders, has received the support of many former partners such as Eugène Diomandé, the brothers Yaya and Kolo Touré, Aruna Dindane, as well as several personalities.

However, other former players such as Cyril Domoraud, Bonaventure Kalou or Ahmed Ouattara supported the candidacy of Idriss Diallo, former 3rd vice-president of Fif, while the president of the League, Sory Diabaté, has the support in particular of Didier Zokora, Youssouf Fofana or Abdoulaye Traoré.

© 2020 AFP