• About Us
  • Privacy Policy
Tuesday, May 24, 2022
Citi Sports Online
  • Home
  • News
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Local Football
  • Ghana Premier League
  • Livescores
  • Sports Panorama
  • Videos
  • AFCON 2021
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Local Football
  • Ghana Premier League
  • Livescores
  • Sports Panorama
  • Videos
  • AFCON 2021
No Result
View All Result
Citi Sports Online
No Result
View All Result

FIFA suspend Ivory Coast FA’s Presidential elections after Drogba’s application is rejected

Edwin Kwakofi by Edwin Kwakofi
August 28, 2020
Reading Time: 3 mins read
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare via Whatsapp

Didier Drogba’s hopes of becoming the next President of Ivory Coast’s Football Federation (FIF) seemed to be over on Thursday after his application was invalidated.

But now it appears the former Chelsea striker has been handed a lifeline by football’s world governing body, FIFA.

“Pending your documents and information, we invite you to suspend all actions relating to the electoral process until further notice,” FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura wrote to FIF’s electoral commission.

“Some say that the commission has been prevented from exercising its activities in total calm and an independent manner because of outside interference.”

According to the BBC, FIFA has also asked for a full list of Electoral Commission members and the minutes from four meetings, including one in July where the new electoral commission president was elected and one in August involving FIF’s Executive Committee.

Drogba’s candidacy had been initially validated, despite some issues with his application, leading to the suspension of the elections and FIF’s Electoral Committee.

FIFA, however, reinstated the Committee and the elections, with the electoral body opting to invalidate Drogba’s candidacy.

It had been doubtful that Drogba’s application would be accepted, with concerns raised over whether he could meet the election requirements.

The Ivory Coast Footballers Association (AFI), one of the five main interest groups in Ivorian football had refused to endorse his candidacy, drawing a suspension from FIFPro.

However, Drogba’s application was controversially accepted after he got the endorsements of three Ivorian Ligue 1 clubs, two Ligue 2 clubs, two Championnat Division 3 clubs and an interest group, the dissident referees.

The sponsorship from the dissident referees and Ivorian club Africa Sport, were deemed inadmissible by FIF, hence the invalidation of Drogba’s candidacy.

It’s unclear now whether the elections will now go ahead on September 5 with Sory Diabaté and Idriss Diallo as the only two approved candidates.

A statement signed by the outgoing president, Sidy Diallo, had earlier announced the suspension of the election stating that the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) which is responsible for validating the  applications had “violated the electoral code ”

The statement also added that “the electoral process no longer inspires confidence and that the neutrality of certain members of the electoral body was in doubt.”

The Executive Committee said it had received complaints from some members of the electoral body about certain actions of its Chairman, René Diby, which put the integrity of the whole process in doubt.


More from Citi Sports


The Committee’s statement said it had “received a note, sent by 4 members of the Electoral Commission, denouncing the actions of the Chairman of their commission and declaring that they do not align themselves with the decisions that he and certain members of the commission have adopted.”

Sidy Diallo, outgoing FIF President

Diby had reportedly approved Drogba’s application due to pressure from the overwhelming popular support for Drogba’s candidacy, as hundreds of his supporters accompanied the former Chelsea striker to submit his forms.

He had believed that rejecting Drogba’s candidacy would have fuelled an already tense situation in the country with not just the FA Presidency elections but Ivory Coast’s presidential elections as well.

According to FIF, he admitted “to have acted in all naivety, to preserve social cohesion, in this sensitive period and to have found an ad hoc solution

This, FIF’s Executive Committee, felt compromised the elections.

The statement concluded that the Executive Committee of FIF will ensure that the electoral processes adhere to the statutes of FIF, CAF, and FIFA.

Drogba’s team had earlier stated that they would appeal to FIFA but it’s not clear whether an appeal has already been submitted.

Disqualified aspirants have five days to submit their appeals.

ShareTweetSend
Previous Post

#Donkomi: Chelsea confirm signing of former PSG captain Thiago Silva

Next Post

Harry Maguire: I feared for my life during arrest in Greece [VIDEO]

Related Posts

Football

WPL: Ampem Darkoa and Hasaacas set up epic showdown in finale

May 24, 2022
Football

Black Satellites turn attention to Toulon Tournament after WAFU disappointment

May 24, 2022
Football

GPL: Ashantigold vs Asante Kotoko rescheduled for June 2

May 24, 2022
AFCON

Cote d’Ivoire name experienced Frenchman Gasset as new coach

May 24, 2022
AFCON

AFCON 2023: Kenya and Zimbabwe removed from qualifying campaign

May 24, 2022
Football

PHOTOS: Hearts of Oak knock down secretariat to make way for new building

May 23, 2022
Football

The best stats from Gameweek 30 in the 2021/22 Ghana Premier League

May 23, 2022
Football

Swine Flu Outbreak: Hearts of Oak staff and players to undergo tests on Tuesday

May 23, 2022
Load More
Next Post

Harry Maguire: I feared for my life during arrest in Greece [VIDEO]

Top Stories

Asamoah Gyan writes on Castro; visiting a shrine in search of his friend

LeGyandary: Asamoah Gyan’s book launch in pictures

Asamoah Gyan launches book ‘LeGyandary’

Asante Kotoko’s Richmond Lamptey banned 2.5 years for involvement in match fixing scandal

RSS Citi Podcasts

  • Sports Panorama: Friday, 20th May, 2022 May 21, 2022 Citi 97.3 FM
  • Sports Panorama: Friday, 13th May, 2022 May 13, 2022 Citi 97.3 FM
  • 'Ghana at a crossroads': John Dramani Mahama's full speech May 2, 2022 Citi 97.3 FM
  • Citi Trends: The snoocode Liberia story April 27, 2022 Citi 97.3 FM
  • Bernard Avle grills Mireku Duker on Ghana's galamsey fight April 27, 2022 Citi 97.3 FM
  • Citi Business Edition: Founder of Witama Limited Alberta Afriyie Mensah talks agribusiness in Ghana April 22, 2022 Citi 97.3 FM
  • Auto Show: Vehicle occupants safety April 21, 2022 Citi 97.3 FM
  • Auto Show: Motorcycle safety April 21, 2022 Citi 97.3 FM
  • Auto Show: A modern car's features April 21, 2022 Citi 97.3 FM
  • Auto Show: Tyres April 21, 2022 Citi 97.3 FM
Citi Sports Online

© 2019 Citi Sports Online

  • Home
  • News
  • Football
  • Ghana Premier League
  • Livescores
  • Sports Panorama
  • Videos
  • AFCON 2021

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Local Football
  • Ghana Premier League
  • Livescores
  • Sports Panorama
  • Videos
  • AFCON 2021

© 2019 Citi Sports Online

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
Citi Sports Cookie Policy
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT