Didier Drogba, files libel lawsuit against UK Daily Mail as UK govt probes his charity foundation

Footballer Didier Drogba says he will institute
legal action against UK news website, Daily Mail,
over a story published yesterday in which his
foundation was accused of diverting funds raised
to help build hospitals and educate less privileged
African children.
In the publication, Daily Mail wrote that Didier's
charity, which is majorly supported by Princess
Beatrice and David Beckham, is under
investigation by the UK Charity Commission, after
it was discovered that only 1% of the money
raised for charitable works in Africa by the
foundation has been used for charitable works.
According to the report, Stars, royals and
businessmen have donated more than £1.7 million
to the Didier Drogba foundation. but only
£14,115 have gone to what it was meant for.
The Didier Drogba Foundation is being accused of
declining to reveal whether the star paid UK
income tax on these sponsorship payments, made
over six years while he was with Chelsea and living
in a £7 million mansion in Surrey.
Last night, the Charity Commission launched an
urgent probe after being handed a dossier of
evidence by Daily Mail.
The Charity Commission's Chief operating officer,
David Holdsworth, said it has ‘serious concerns’
and would urgently investigate whether the
charity had ‘provided misleading information to
donors and the public’.
Rob Wilson, Minister for Civil Society, also said the
allegations were ‘extremely worrying’.
Specialist forensic accountants who analysed the
documents on behalf of Dailymail said it was
‘crystal clear’ that ‘virtually nothing’ raised in
the UK by the foundation has been spent on
charitable activities.
The revelations will also be a serious
embarrassment to the UN which praises the
foundation on its website and made Drogba who
enjoys iconic status across Africa one of its
Goodwill Ambassadors in 2007. The UN has also
vowed to investigate the claims.
Daily Mail states that among the things it found
out during its investigation is how the charity: -
Raised more than £1.7 million in the UK over five
years, but spent just 0.8 per cent of this on good
causes. -Claimed to be funding the construction
of a hospital and up to five other clinics — but
has built only one clinic, which has no staff or
medical equipment. -Told supporters one
fundraising ball in London had raised £300,000 —
even though it was so expensive to put on that it
lost £71,000. -Until last year, it had an Ivorian
FIFA executive, who was later questioned by police
on allegations of bribery, as one of its three
trustees. Drogba in his statement said these
allegations are untrue and that he will continue
with his charitable works.