Abidjan (AFP)
Didier Drogba, who candidate for the presidency of the Ivorian football federation (Fif), did not receive as he hoped the sponsorship of the association of Ivorian footballers (Afi), which compromises his candidacy for the election September 5.
"The majority of its members, the board decides to grant sponsorship of the Afi to the list led by Idriss Diallo", announced the Afi in a statement on Tuesday.
Idriss Diallo, current vice-president of Fif, is supported by former internationals Bonaventure Kalou, Cyril Domoraud or Ahmed Ouattara.
Signed by the former international Aruna Dindane, secretary general of the Afi, the text ensures that "this choice meets the recommendation made by two thirds of the delegates after the meeting last Friday".
Previously, the Yaya brothers and Kolo Touré had supported their former teammate. "Ivorian players playing in Europe are worried about the current situation and do not understand why the Afi does not seem to want to give its sponsorship to Didier Drogba," said Yaya Touré.
Of the five groups that can sponsor a candidate, four have already made their choice. Two (Afi and Amicale des coaches) therefore support Idriss Diallo. Two (the Association of former players and the Association of referees) sponsor the president of the League Sory Diabaté, supported by Didier Zokora, Youssouf Fofana or Abdoulaye Traore "Ben Badi". Only the Doctors' Association remains, which has not yet given its sponsorship.
The Afi was to be the basis of Drogba's candidacy and his support for Idriss Diallo risks depriving him of the ballot.
If he does not obtain the sponsorship of the doctors, the former player of Chelsea and Marseilles will have, except judicial rebound, either to give up and wait four years more, or to ally with one of the rival camps.
© 2020 AFP