Ivory Coast: Didier Drogba removed from the race for the presidency of the FIF

Text by: Farid Achache Follow

3 min

Umpteenth rebound in the race for the presidency of the Ivorian Football Federation: Didier Drogba's candidacy was rejected by the electoral commission on Thursday, August 27.

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Decidedly, Didier Drogba's candidacy for the presidency of the Ivorian Football Federation is worthy of a "soap opera". Last episode: the electoral commission of the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) announced this Thursday, August 27, that it invalidated the candidacy of the former Chelsea striker as well as that of Paul Koffi Kouadio.

A candidacy that has caused much ink to flow

The sponsorships presented by Didier Drogba were partly rejected. That received from Africa Sport of Abidjan, under Division 1 clubs, and that obtained from AMAF-CI (referees) under interest groups are inadmissible, according to the committee.

Drogba's file was initially validated on August 9, without the decision being notified to the candidates, which prompted the FIF to suspend the commission and the electoral process. Restored by Fifa, the committee then resumed its work without its president René Diby, who slammed the door. The former Minister of Sports would have refused to hold a new vote in the committee to designate the candidates already validated.

Yacine Idriss Diallo, former third vice-president of the FIF and the current vice-president of the Federation and president of the League Sory Diabaté saw their candidatures accepted to succeed Augustin Sidy Diallo.

Another blow for the former captain of the Elephants

The former Marseille player promised to contribute to the rebirth of this king sport in Côte d'Ivoire which, according to him, "is  going badly  ". From the start, he had the support of Yaya Touré.

The former captain of the Ivorian Elephants had already suffered a hard blow in mid-July, when the Association of Ivorian footballers (AFI) refused to sponsor him, but he had managed to obtain eight sponsorships and the support of one of the five groups. interest needed to apply for the election.

"  It is not so much being president of the FIF that interests me, but it is the mission that binds this function  ", he said in front of a large crowd when the file was submitted. "  Our football is going badly [...]  we are committed to contributing to the rebirth of Ivorian football  ", continued the former international, retired from the field since the end of 2018. Adding: "  I am back and determined to bring my stone to the building, renewal and development of Ivorian football. It is very important for me to give back to Ivorian football everything it has given me.  "

Didier Drogba has five days to appeal this decision. This election, in the form of imbroglio with incessant infighting, has become a real soap opera since June. To be continued in the next episode…

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