FIFA grants Drogba right to play

FIFA has granted a provisional licence for Didier Drogba to represent Galatasaray following his move from Shanghai Shenhua.

The Ivory Coast international sealed a move to the Turkish champions last month, only for Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua to claim he was still contracted to them.

However, the player’s representatives maintained he had the right to join another club due to non-payment of wages, and his switch to Istanbul has now been ratified by the authorities.

“The Single Judge of Fifa’s Players’ Status Committee has authorised (the) Turkish FF (football federation) to provisionally register Didier Drogba,” FIFA posted on Twitter.

“The Drogba decision is without prejudice and pending outcome of decision as to the substance of the contractual dispute with former club.”

Drogba arrived in Istanbul last week to a rapturous reception from fans, and passed medical checks on Monday.