Tuesday 18 October 2016 19:25, UK
Didier Drogba has settled his dispute with Montreal Impact after the striker refused to play last weekend.
The 38-year-old former Chelsea and Ivory Coast star stunned the club on Sunday after demanding to be left out of the match-day squad after discovering he would start on the bench.
It was a controversial call given the importance of the game, although the Impact did eventually book their place in the MLS Cup play-offs with a 2-2 draw against Toronto.
Despite Drogba's initial displeasure at his first-team snub, the club's president Joey Saputo said in a statement on Tuesday that the relationship with the striker had been patched up.
"We met with Didier. The situation has been resolved to the club's satisfaction," Saputo said.
"Didier has accepted to assume the role that the head coach sees fit while contributing to the success of this club moving forward.
"When he came to Montreal, Didier said he came here to win, and he still has the same objective. Our main priority now is to focus on the last game of the season and the upcoming playoffs."
The controversy is just the latest glitch in a turbulent second season in the MLS for Drogba, who was linked to a return to Chelsea in a coaching role last December.
Impact initially denied the story but then admitted they had been in contact with Chelsea amid reports that the Ivorian was considering his retirement to escape the second year of his contract with Montreal to force a move back to Stamford Bridge.
Drogba denied the claim and eventually reported back for duty with the Impact.
Although he has scored 10 goals and contributed six assists this season, controversy has continued to follow him, with the player involved in a spat with New York Red Bulls fans last month.
The problems have led to mounting calls among fans for Drogba to be released, with critics noting that the team's record this season has been better when he has not played.
