FIFA’s executive committee has extended the mandate of a normalisation committee, set up to run Ivory Coast’s Football Federation (FIF), by a further six months.
This would enable the transitional committee to lead the Elephants to the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations and stay on until 30 June 2022.
FIFA installed the normalisation committee on 24 December 2020 with the mission to revise the statutes, conduct elections and manage the daily affairs of FIF.
It is understood that the extension is circumstantial, and not a reflection or suggestion of bad management.
FIFA named the normalization committee as a result of the country’s inability to carry out an electoral process for a new Executive Committee in accordance with the requirement valid to all FIFA members.
FIF’s election campaign was brought to a stop in August 2020 after Didier Drogba’s bid was rejected as he only received the official support of two of a required four Ivorian clubs. The Cote d’Ivoire and Chelsea great was standing against Idriss Diallo and president of the league Sory Diabate.
Drogba, 42, played for the West African nation between 2002 and 2014 before calling time on his international career. He is the country’s all-time top scorer with 65 goals after 105 games, the country’s third-highest tally of international appearances after Didier Zokora (123) and Kolo Toure (120).
Also, he featured at five Africa Cup of Nations tournaments (2006, 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2013) and three World Cups (2006, 2010 and 2014).
The normalisation committee acts as FIF’s electoral body as well as revising the Federation’s statutes.
Photo:FIF Normalisation Committee President Marion Dao Gabala
