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Former Chelsea star to sue the Daily Mail for 'false and defamatory' report

Didier Drogba is taking legal action against the Daily Mail over report that his charity are misusing funds donated for good causes in Africa

The Daily Mail said Didier Drogba’s charity used just £14,115 out of a donated £1.7 million for good causes on the African continent.

The Monreal Impact striker said in a statement released concerning the issue:

“Despite sending legal letters and 67 pages worth of documents advising the Daily Mail that their information was factually incorrect and libelous, they have decided to ignore the facts so I am issuing legal proceedings against them today.

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“The Daily Mail by such irresponsible journalism are jeopardizing the lives of many thousands of African children. The effect on these kids in need of healthcare and education is unimaginable.

“They have already caused an untold amount of damage by contacting all of my sponsors, my colleagues, and many of my friends who generously helped the Foundation with donations, and put doubts in their mind about whether to continue to support us in the future.

“I come from a poor family and I had to work hard to get where I am today but this would mean nothing to me if I wasn’t able to give back to my country, my continent and my community.

"I want to help children from the Ivory Coast become leaders of the next generation, actors, politicians, scientists, doctors, teachers and sportspeople, but you can only get there with education and healthcare. By printing these lies, The Daily Mail is trying to stop Africa’s development.

"Despite their claims, there is no fraud, no corruption, no mismanagement, no lies, no impropriety.

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"The Foundation was established in the Ivory Coast in 2007, and retains proof of every single payment made and received. We have all the documentation required by law both in the UK and the Ivory Coast. The Foundation’s work to date has been funded entirely by me through sponsorship earnings and donations in the amount of 3.7 million euros. Projects funded have included; The building of the first Foundation Clinic, the mobile clinic which is in operation, school bags and books, a dialysis machine, Project against Child Labour, The Heart Schools kits, donations to the Children of Africa, and supporting orphanages.

"The £1.7 million from UK fundraising will be used to make the main clinic fully operational, including medical equipment, staff, medicine, and running costs."

The charity commission is investigating ‘serious regulatory concerns’ over the issues concerning the charity run by Diedier Drogba.

The Didier Drogba Foundation was launched in the UK in 2009 when the former Ivory Coast captain was playing for Chelsea.

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