Shanghai Shenhua dispute Drogba move
Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua have claimed that Didier Drogba's move to Galatasaray is invalid.
By FOX Sports Staff
It was announced on Monday that Drogba had agreed a €6 million move to Galatasaray, accompanied by a €4million signing on fee and an 18-month contract.
However, Shanghai Shenhua have disputed the move in a statement released on their official website, while indicating that they are also ready to contest its legality with FIFA.
The statement read: "Shanghai Shenhua Football Club were informed by Galatasaray's club website on 29th January 2:10am that they have agreed a deal for Drogba to join them and we [Shanghai Shenhua] are deeply shocked with the violations commited by them.
"We understand Drogba's desire to rejoin a club playing in the UEFA Champions League. However, the club has a two-and-a-half year contract with Drogba signed on 1st July 2012; the club has fulfilled all obligations and acted in accordance to the contract.
"Drogba is still a Shanghai Shenhua as of now as both parties are still effectively within the valid period of the contract.
"Concurrently, we [Shanghai Shenhua] are ready to gather evidence and submit the findings to FIFA in order to protect ourselves from further loss."
Drogba was denied permission to go on loan to another club by FIFA in November 2012, while strike partner Nicolas Anelka left the club for a loan deal with Juventus earlier this month.