African footballers are victimised, says angry Drogba

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Didier Drogba has claimed that black African footballers are subject to racism and unequal treatment during their commercial negotiations with clubs and sponsors.

The controversial Chelsea striker revealed he has fought against such disadvantages all his career and has only overcome them now as he is successful and famous.

He said: "I sincerely believe that if you are a black African footballer you do not get equality.

"Even today if one talks with a sponsor about a particular deal or negotiates with a club they will simply tell you 'accept it - that's the way it is'!

"For example if a player was part of the France national team instead of being from a black African national side, then the negotiations would be much smoother and, when they concluded, you'd earn more."

Chelsea, who have not only Drogba but John Obi Mikel, Salomon Kalou and Michael Essien on their books, will be disappointed not to be excluded by name from the striker's accusations, especially as they now pay him £100,000 a week.

But Drogba added: "In the world of football an African is not given the same degree of respect as a European or a South American. I've been a victim of such biased and unjust negotiations on more than one occasion in my career.

"The difference, today, is that I know what I'm worth and it does not embarrass me to tell people exactly that and to fight for it."

Drogba powered the Ivory Coast into the African Nations' Cup quarter-final last night with a goal in the 3-0 win over Mali.

He has promised he will give '200 per cent' to Chelsea when he returns to England - but that he'll make his mind up about leaving or staying only at the end of the season.