Didier Drogba fined for refusing to play, but Impact say situation has been sorted
Didier Drogba refused to play for the Montreal Impact last weekend. The team decided that he wouldn't start against Toronto FC and Drogba told them that if he wasn't starting, he wouldn't play.
That act of defiance earned him a fine from MLS.
"Consistent with the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Drogba has been fined an undisclosed amount for his failure to appear for the Montreal Impact's match against Toronto FC on October 16," MLS said in a statement.
The Impact are in a tricky spot with Drogba. He hasn't played poorly by any means, but the team is better without him, at least from the start. They're heading into the final match of the regular season with a playoff spot clinched and their MLS Cup hopes appear stronger if Drogba is merely an option off the bench. But, obviously, benching Drogba isn't easy.
After last week's spat, there was some question about Drogba's future with the Impact and what the club would do heading into the postseason, but owner Joey Saputo said that things have been taken care of.
"I'm happy to announce that the situation has been resolved to the club's satisfaction," Saputo said. "Didier has accepted to assume the role that the coach sees fit as well contributing to the success of this club moving forward."
We'll see how things play out this weekend and into the playoffs. For now, all we know is Drogba's wallet is a little lighter.
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