FIFA has blocked Didier Drogba leaving Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua on loan before the January transfer window. The Ivory Coast international asked for permission to move, but has been informed that he is not exempt from international transfer rules bringing to an end Chelsea's attempts to re-sign their former player.
Fifa said in a statement: "We can confirm that the player Didier Drogba submitted a request for authorisation to be registered outside an open registration period for a club on a loan basis.
"Fifa has informed him about the relevant regulations, that players may only be registered during one of the two annual registration periods fixed by the relevant association."
