Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) president Idriss Diallo has accepted his defeat in the recent FIFA Council elections, stating his determination to continue working for the development of football in Côte d’Ivoire and Africa.
Diallo, who was a candidate for a seat on FIFA’s top decision-making body, failed to secure enough votes to be elected.
Despite the setback, he extended his congratulations to those who won and expressed his commitment to future efforts in football governance.
A gracious acknowledgment
In an official statement following the election, Diallo reflected on the outcome and congratulated his colleagues who secured positions on the FIFA Council.
“I attended the 14th Extraordinary General Assembly of CAF today. On that occasion, I was a candidate for the position of member of the FIFA Council. Unfortunately, I was not elected,” he said.
“I congratulate my colleagues who were elected and wish them the best in their new roles alongside President Gianni Infantino and Dr. Patrice Motsepe, for the good of African and world football.”
Diallo secured only 18% of the vote, falling short in his bid to represent African football at the global level.
However, he remained philosophical about the defeat, drawing a parallel between elections and football itself.
“Just like in a football match, once the referee blows the final whistle and you lose, you have to play fair and work even harder to win the next match,” he added.
Looking ahead
Despite the disappointment, Diallo remains a key figure in Ivorian football, especially following Côte d’Ivoire’s successful hosting of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which saw the national team crowned champions.
His leadership in domestic football development and his role within CAF will continue to shape his influence in the sport.
While this election result may be a setback, Diallo’s response suggests he is focused on the future, aiming to strengthen Ivorian and African football on the continental and global stage.
