FIFA reject Didier Drogba request for Chelsea loan move

FIFA have turned down Didier Drogba’s request to be allowed to leave Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua on loan ahead of the transfer window.

The Ivory Coast striker, who has been linked with a short-term move back to former club Chelsea, had asked the world governing body about making the switch but they will not sanction the transfer.

FIFA said in a statement: "We can confirm that the player Didier Drogba submitted a request for authorisation to be registered outside an open registration period for a club on a loan basis.

"FIFA has informed him about the relevant regulations... that players may only be registered during one of the two annual registration periods fixed by the relevant association."

FIFA said the only exception was when a player's contract expired outside a transfer window.

Drogba had been hoping that a temporary move would hel him to build fitness ahead of the African Nations Cup in January.