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 agents out, but education is still required in order that players can spot an illegitimate operator. Of those Fifpro surveyed, 70% said they had not been educated by their club about agents or intermediaries.
The Fifpro Africa president, Geremi Njitap, a former teammate of Drogba at Chelsea, recounted his own experience of being taken on by “a dishonest person” early in his career and arriving in Europe with no plans made. Some players, or their families, pay four-figure sums for the prospect of a life-changing career move. It is an extraordinary financial risk and in many cases ends with individuals left on their own in Europe in life-endangering situations, bereft of resources or support.
“When [Ivory Coast] played at international level, right in front of our hotel we would see players from Ivory Coast, Cameroon or another country standing on the doorstep, left to their own devices with no money to make ends meet, homeless and forced to become beggars,” Drogba said. “It’s only natural that parents and young players would dream of becoming wealthy stakeholders in this big global, wealthy game.
“This partnership with Fifpro and the ILO appealed to me because it’s the right way of conveying the message, the right advice so that people can be empowered to make the right choices and be vigilant.”
Drogba and Geremi also discussed the need to make Africa a more appealing and viable location for players to continue their careers. Domestic football in most of the continent’s countries is poorly paid and infrastructure is of variable standard. The Confederation of African Football has set up a Super League that is expected to begin with eight teams this year, rising to 24 in the future.
The information campaign led by Drogba, Fifpro and the ILO includes an animated video in which Drogba urges players to be cautious in dealing with agents. A brochure has also been circulated with further advice.
