By Darlington Mutsvairi
FIFA has suspended Ivory Coast Football Association’s presidential elections until further notice citing irregularities in the electoral process after Didier Drogba has been ruled out of the race that had been scheduled for next month.
The former Chelsea star was on Thursday rejected as a candidate under controversial circumstances leaving only two candidates in contention namely, the current vice president Sory Diabate, and Yacine Idriss Diallo a former vice-president.
FIFA ordered the election process be suspended indefinitely to allow investigations into the circumstances leading to Drogba’s suspension.
“Pending your documents and information, we invite you to suspend all actions relating to the electoral process until further notice,” reads part of the letter.
Two of the sponsors he submitted, Africa Sports and a body representing referees, AMAF-CI, were found to have actually backed one of his opponents, FIF’s first vice-president Sory Diabate.
The subsequent removal of Africa Sports’ backing left Drogba with just two nominations from Ligue 1 clubs, as opposed to the three that FIF statutes demand from the 14 top-flight clubs.
The iconic footballer is Ivory Coast’s all-time top goal scorer with 65 goals from 105 appearances.
He has three World Cup appearances and helped his country twice to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations.
