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.