Drogba denies signing anti-Israel tourney petition

Didier Drogba and Ivory Coast lead their World Cup qualifying group.

Rebecca Blackwell/AP

LONDON (AP) -- Didier Drogba says he wasn't among the soccer players to sign a petition protesting the decision to hold next year's European under-21 championship in Israel.

He was among 62 names listed on a petition last Friday supporting Palestinian groups. The petition was organized by former Tottenham and Sevilla striker Frederic Kanoute.

Drogba is a former Chelsea striker from the Ivory Coast who now plays in Shanghai. He said in a statement Tuesday he did not sign this petition or "give my support to this initiative'' because he never gets involved "in any conflicts, even in my own country.''

Drogba says he tries to "work for peace and reconciliation'' and "fight against any forms of injustice or discrimination'' through his own foundation.

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