Chelsea ace Didier Drogba has confirmed he was not named African Footballer of the Year because he refused to attend the presentation ceremony.

"I received a call in the afternoon (on Friday) from a high-ranking CAF official," Drogba told reporters in Ghana on Monday.

"He told me that if I didn't appear at the ceremony the rules would be changed, that I would no longer be first and that the prize would go to the runner-up, Frederic Kanoute.

"Aside from the vote it was what was said that surprised me.

"We're all working for the African continent, there's a huge media presence in Ghana for a competition that was heavily criticised ten years ago.

"So there comes a time when we all have to pull together. I don't think this type of attitude honours Africa, so I've decided to pull out of future elections for the Ballon d'Or.

"In my eyes this award has lost its value. I'm a simple player, the decision that I take doesn't hurt a lot of people.

"If I refused to go to Lome it was first for my team-mates as you don't organise such an event just two days before a quarter-final."