Didier Drogba takes on scourge of ‘fake agents’ scamming African players

Didier Drogba has warned of the “nightmare” facing scores of young African footballers who are scammed by fake agents promising them successful careers in Europe and elsewhere. The scourge of unscrupulous individuals who take money from youngsters and their families in return for opportunities that fail to materialise, sometimes placing them in grave danger as a result, is especially rife in developing countries.

A survey from Fifpro, the global players’ union, has laid bare the extent of the problem and Fifpro has partnered with Drogba’s foundation and the International Labour Organization (ILO) to raise awareness and help players avoid falling victim in future. “The dream ends up being a nightmare for these young people,” Drogba said.

“You are being scammed, being fooled, it’s a swindle. This issue has gone on far too long and the number of fake agents has multiplied. It’s not only about football players: we’re talking about the wellbeing of young men and women who dream of a successful career abroad.”

Fifpro surveyed 263 male and female players, from Botswana, Cameroon, DR Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Among its findings were that more than 70% of players had been contacted, unsolicited, by someone claiming they could help them move to another club. Of those, 36% had been approached via social media. In 78% of cases, the players indicated elements that the individual involved did not arrange properly. Troublingly, 56% did not receive a trial they had been promised and 44% did not sign a contract they expected to sign.

New Fifa regulations mean that, from 1 October, every working football agent must be licenced by the global governing body having passed an exam. The hope is that this will help filter fake