Chelsea Football Club News

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• Founded:1905
• Manager:Roberto Di Matteo

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Drogba hits out over award

05 Feb 2008 - 07:43:38

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Chelsea striker Didier Drogba claims he no longer wants to be considered for the African player of the year award after being stripped of this year's accolade.

The Ivory Coast captain, who is currently in Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations, claims he missed out on winning back-to-back crowns after he refused to travel to Togo to accept the prize.

Sevilla and Mali striker Frederic Kanoute was eventually named the winner of the latest award.

"I was told if I didn't appear the rules would change and the prize would go to the runner-up," claimed Drogba.

"This attitude doesn't honour Africa so I've pulled out of future elections."

Drogba refused to attend the ceremony last weekend as it would have interrupted preparations for Ivory Coast's quarter-final meeting with Guinea on Monday.

"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," he said.

"I didn't go as well because of the son of (former Ivory Coast coach) Ulrich Stielike had died.

"We're all working for the African continent, 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."