The FIFPRO (International Federation of Professional Footballers) has suspended AFI (Ivorian Football Association) on Thursday .This is after being against AFI’s decision of not sponsoring Didier Drogba’s candidacy for the elections at FIF. Further to this sanction removing its «membership rights» the AFI broke its silence on Friday.

“While waiting to formulate, for the Fifpro internal use, an appropriate response to the reasons evoked in support of this decision, the AFI would like to remind that it is in total independence that it takes its positions at the national level, taking into account the best interests of Ivorian footballers,” reads a statement.

“Since its foundation, AFI has always worked transparently for the benefit of its members. This is why it would like to reassure all its members on its commitment to defending their interests and respecting their choices and orientations for the Ivorian football,” adds the institution headed by Cyrille Domoraud.