Didier Drogba’s hopes of an immediate move to a European club from Shanghai Shenhua have been dashed by FIFA.
The Ivorian striker was being linked with a loan move to former club Chelsea after the Chinese Super League ended this month.
The
34-year-old requested special permission to join another club outside
of the international transfer window to maintain his fitness levels
ahead of the African Cup of Nations, which starts on January 19 in South
Africa.
However,
FIFA upheld its rules in previous cases when making Major League Soccer
players David Beckham, Thierry Henry and Landon Donovan wait until
January to make loan moves.
Drogba has insisted that the African tournament remains a priority.
“The
most important is to arrive at the Afcon 2013 in full possession of my
abilities. What is important is to remain in this environment, and to be
efficient in the upcoming Afcon. It is a competition that is very close
to my heart,” assured the former Chelsea striker.
Drogba
and his teammates were runners-up in 2006 against Egypt and in 2012
against Zambia, and this time they will let nothing stand in their way
of the title
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