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- Feb 11, 2007
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Absent Drogba 'stripped of award'
BBC News Online
Drogba was named Africa's Player of the Year in 2006
Didier Drogba says he does not wish to be considered for future African player of the year awards after Frederic Kanoute won the 2007 title by default.
The Ivory Coast striker is playing at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana and claims he was told he had won but had to travel to Togo to accept the prize.
"I was told if I didn't appear the rules would change and the prize would go to the runner-up," he said.
"This attitude doesn't honour Africa so I've pulled out of future elections."
Drogba, who won the 2006 award, said it made no sense to have the awards ceremony in another country while such a high-profile African event was ongoing.
"If I refused to go to (Togo capital) Lome it was first for my team-mates, as you don't organise such an event just two days before a quarter-final (Monday's game against Guinea)," the Chelsea forward said.
"I didn't go as well because of the son of Ulrich Stilieke (the former Ivory Coast coach) has died.
"We're all working for the African continent, there's a huge media presence in Ghana for a competition that was heavily criticised 10 years ago.
"So there comes a time when we all have to pull together."
Ivory Coast spokesman Jean-Claude Djacus said the Confederation of African Football (Caf) had "brought itself into disrepute" by its handling of the affair.
BBC News Online
Drogba was named Africa's Player of the Year in 2006
Didier Drogba says he does not wish to be considered for future African player of the year awards after Frederic Kanoute won the 2007 title by default.
The Ivory Coast striker is playing at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana and claims he was told he had won but had to travel to Togo to accept the prize.
"I was told if I didn't appear the rules would change and the prize would go to the runner-up," he said.
"This attitude doesn't honour Africa so I've pulled out of future elections."
Drogba, who won the 2006 award, said it made no sense to have the awards ceremony in another country while such a high-profile African event was ongoing.
"If I refused to go to (Togo capital) Lome it was first for my team-mates, as you don't organise such an event just two days before a quarter-final (Monday's game against Guinea)," the Chelsea forward said.
"I didn't go as well because of the son of Ulrich Stilieke (the former Ivory Coast coach) has died.
"We're all working for the African continent, there's a huge media presence in Ghana for a competition that was heavily criticised 10 years ago.
"So there comes a time when we all have to pull together."
Ivory Coast spokesman Jean-Claude Djacus said the Confederation of African Football (Caf) had "brought itself into disrepute" by its handling of the affair.
