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Drogba asks FIFA for permission to make loan move

Published: November 21, 2012 Comment on this article

ZURICH (AP) — Didier Drogba has asked FIFA for special permission to move on loan from his Chinese club despite being outside the official transfer window.

photo - FILE - In this Wednesday, March 14, 2012 file photo, Chelsea's manager Roberto Di Matteo, left, celebrates their win through to the next round against Napoli with Didier Drogba at the end of their Champions League last sixteen second leg soccer match at Stamford Bridge, London. Chelsea has fired coach Roberto Di Matteo, Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012, one day after another loss in the Champions League has left the team on the brink of elimination. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis, File)

FILE - In this Wednesday, March 14, 2012 file photo, Chelsea's manager Roberto Di Matteo, left, celebrates their win through to the next round against Napoli with Didier Drogba at the end of their Champions League last sixteen second leg soccer match at Stamford Bridge, London. Chelsea has fired coach Roberto Di Matteo, Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012, one day after another loss in the Champions League has left the team on the brink of elimination. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis, File)

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FIFA says it is considering the former Chelsea forward's request for an exemption from international rules.

Drogba's season with Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua finished this month.

If FIFA grants Drogba's request, the 34-year-old Ivory Coast captain could play for a new team to prepare for the African Cup of Nations, which kicks off on Jan. 19 in South Africa.

Existing rules prevent Drogba from representing another club until Jan. 1.

Drogba signed a contract through 2014 with Shanghai weeks after helping Chelsea win the Champions League title in May. He scored an 88th-minute equalizer, then struck the winning penalty in the shootout.