Click to use the eyefootball Desktop site.
Didier Drogba has revealed that he was in line for the African Player of the Year award but was consequently snubbed and it instead was awarded to Freddie Kanoute.
The reason for the snub was simply because the Chelsea striker was unable to travel to Lome, Togo as he was busy preparing for Ivory Coast's quarter final clash.
With Mali not progressing beyond the group stages, meant that Kanoute could travel to Togo.
"I received a call in the afternoon [on Friday] from a high ranking CAF official," revealed Drogba.
"He told me that if I didn't appear at the ceremony the rules would be changed - that I would no longer be first and that the prize would go to the runner-up, Frederic Kanoute."
Drogba has slammed CAF's decision to organise the function in Togo when the top African players are currently in Ghana, and focusing on their national teams.
"Aside from the vote it was what was said that has actually surprised me," added Drogba.
"We're all working for the African continent, and there's a huge media presence in Ghana for a competition that was heavily criticised ten years ago."
"So there comes a time when we all have to pull together."
Drogba also revealed his dissatisfaction of the whole award.
"I don't think this type of attitude honours Africa so I've decided to pull out of future elections for the Ballon d'Or," he declared.
"In my eyes this award has lost its value. I'm a simple player, the decision that I take doesn't hurt a lot of people.
"If I refused to go to Lome it was first for my teammates as you don't organise such an event just two days before a quarter-final (Sunday's game against Guinea).
"I didn't go as well because of the son of Ulrich Stilieke has died."
Written by pascal1978
Copyright 2007 - 2019 Eyefootball Ltd. All rights reserved. The news and views discussed here are those of the participating users, and do not necessarily represent or have the endorsement of the editors of Eye Football.
Terms of Use - Privacy Policy - Contact Us - Use Desktop Site