Former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has refused to play for Montreal Impact after he was demoted to the bench.
Montreal Impact coach Mauro Biello has revealed that the player did not appreciate the fact that he was named only among the substitute and did not form part of the first team.
The coach said that Drogba was not interested to form part of the team if he was going only to sit on the bench. As a result, the Ivory Coast player asked to be removed from the 18 players that were going to play the game.
The Montreal Impact staff stated on Sunday that the player was injured, but the coach has now confirmed that the player missed the game because he refused to be named among the substitute. He said that the player indeed suffered from a back problem, but he was capable of playing.
Mauro Biello stated that he does understand why Didier Drogba behaved that way. He stated that he is a team player just as anyone else and that he needs to accept the decision of the coach. He stated that all the Montreal Impact players train hard and that it is important that Didier Drogba understands that only the best players will have a chance in the team.
His teammates have refused to comment on the issue and said that Drogba had been a great member in the locker room. They stated that this is a matter between the coach and Drogba and that they will have to settle it sooner or later.
The coach said that they will find a solution to this problem internally and that the club should continue to move forward. He stated that the club is improving and it is important that they remain united.