Who are the external forces behind Ivorian FA elections?

Tension continues to brew ahead of the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) presidency elections, with the entire process left hanging following the suspension by world soccer governing body, FIFA.

This follows the rejection of the candidature of legendary Ivorian forward Didier Drogba by the Elections Committee of FIF for his failure to meet the set criteria leaving incumbent Vice President Sory Diabate and Idris Yacine Diallo as the two contenders to replace Augustin Sidy Diallo, who has served the statutory two terms.

Between 28 and 30 September 2020, a joint FIFA-CAF Committee with the aim of resolving issues, met with the various stakeholders of Ivorian football and concerned parties to cross the T’s and dot the I’s as far as the whole saga is concerned.

As the interested parties await the report of the FIFA-CAF Committee on the way forward for the elections, many lovers of the game are still at crossroads over the overt attempt to ensure Drogba gets on the ballot despite his inability to meet the requirements set by the Elections Committee.

As reported by insideworldfootball, his biggest support can be seen to come from the corridors of FIFA, due to his strong relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The Chelsea legend also has a close connection with Infantino’s right-hand man and now Deputy FIFA General Secretary, Mattias Grafström, who earlier this year replaced Zvonimir Boban at the former role.

Even a report by BBC also purported somewhat of support from FIFA for the legendary forward.

As recent as 2016, Drogba was appointed by Infantino as a Deputy Chairman of the FIFA Stakeholders Committee during the FIFA Congress in Mexico in 2016, a position which confirms his relationship with the FIFA top brass.

The question on the lips of many is why has FIFA decided to suspend the entire FIF electoral process when Drogba has not exhausted the internal process to challenge the rejection of his candidature?

Another body, which has thrown the law of democracy to the cleaners is FIFPro, the global footballers' welfare body, who suspended the Association of Ivorian Football (AFI), over the decision to endorse a rival candidate, Diallo, instead of Drogba for the FIF presidency.

According to FIFPro led by Frenchman Phillipe Piat, the ‘iniquitous decision’ of the AFI for not supporting one of their own for the top seat was unheard of. However, they failed to state which of the FIFPro regulation the actions of the AFI contravenes.

This is clearly an act of interference as the Executives of the AFI have the right to support whatever candidate, whose agenda sits well with their objective.

This is a contrast to what happened in the United States, when Republican Senator Mitt Romney voted against US President Donald Trump, becoming the first and only Senator in US history to vote to convict a president of his party.

It will also be recalled that despite CAF’s overwhelming support for Morocco in the run for the 2026 FIFA World Cup bid; 11 African countries namely Benin, Botswana, Cape Verde, Guinea, Lesotho, Liberia, Mozambique, Namibia, Sierra Leone, South Africa and Zimbabwe voted for the United Bid (Canada, Mexico, USA).

In as much the decision of the 11 countries was a contributing factor to the failure of the Moroccan bid, thereby robbing the continent of yet another opportunity to stage the biggest football event in the world after South Africa in 2010; no action was taken against those Member Associations for taking a stand seen to be against the ultimate interest of African football.

In the end, each MA is responsible for their actions, just as AFI, who have taken a decision in the best interest of the player’s welfare body.

The Romney-Trump incident shares similarities to FIFPro-AFI. Whilst Romney has faced no brunt for his decision, the same is not for AFI, who have been handed a punishment for exercising their democratic rights.

In the midst of the seeming chaos back home, Drogba continues to enjoy some shine in world football. Last week, he was presented with the UEFA President’s Award in recognition of his contribution to the game, becoming the first African to receive that honour.

He is no doubt a great player. However, critics are calling for a level playing field for all candidates in the FIF elections for the future of the Ivorian game. In some quarters, there are reports of plans to institute a Normalisation Committee for FIF so that the election process can be delayed and launched anew. Time will tell.