Drogba Requests Loan Move From FIFA To Prepare For Africa Cup Of Nations

Didier Drogba has asked FIFA "for special permission to move on loan" from Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua despite being outside the official transfer window, according to David Kent of the London DAILY MAIL. FIFA said that it is considering Drogba's request for an exemption from int'l rules, and his former club, Chelsea, is "keen for the striker to return to west London, even if it is just for a month." If the request is granted, Drogba "could play for a new team to prepare for the Africa Cup of Nations," which begins on Jan. 19 in South Africa. FIFA "has upheld the rules in previous cases," for example, when David Beckham, Thierry Henry and Landon Donovan had to wait until January to make loan moves to Europe following the Major League Soccer season (DAILY MAIL, 11/21).