Drogba dismayed by award snub

TAKORADI, Ghana -- Chelsea's Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba does not want to be considered for the African Player of the Year award any more after claiming that he missed out this year because he refused to travel to Togo from Ghana, where his team is still involved in the Nations Cup.

Drogba said that the 2007 award, which was presented to Frederic Kanoute, was originally destined for him.

Mali's Sevilla striker Kanoute received the continent's top player award at a ceremony hosted by the Confederation of African Football in Lome last Friday.

Drogba was unable to travel to Lome because of his commitments with the Ivory Coast at the Nations Cup and he explained that his non-appearance meant that Kanoute picked up his title.

"I received a call in the afternoon (on Friday) from a high ranking CAF official," Drogba explained.

"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."

Kanoute duly received the honor, with Drogba's Chelsea teammate Michael Essien, who was released by Ghana to attend, in second and Drogba third.

"Aside from the vote it was what was said that surprised me," added Drogba.

"We're all working for the African continent, there's a huge media presence in Ghana for a competition that was heavily criticized ten years ago.

"So there comes a time when we all have to pull together. I don't think this type of attitude honors Africa so I've decided to pull out of future elections for the Ballon d'Or.

"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 organize such an event just two days before a quarterfinal.

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

Ivory Coast face Egypt in the Nations Cup semifinals on Thursday. E-mail to a friend