With an Ivorian player having recently collapsed and died on the pitch, Didier Drogba has made a serious demand following the tragic incident.
Tragedy struck in the Ivory Coast top flight on Sunday, when Racing Club d'Abidjan star Moustapha Sylla slumped to the ground during a game against SOL FC and was pronounced dead on the way to hospital.
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The news left many in shock, including CAF president Dr. Patrice Motsepe, who extended his heartfelt condolences to the young defender's loved ones.
"Dr Motsepe and the CAF Family mourns the tragic passing of such a young life who showed promise on the football field," a statement on CAFOnline.com read.
"CAF conveys deepest condolences to the family of Sylla Moustapha, Ivorian Football Federation President Idriss Diallo, Racing Club d'Abidjan Family and the Ivorian people during this time of grieving."
The Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) also led a tribute to the 21-year-old rising star, stating: "In this moment of pain and emotion, FIF extends its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased, to the managers and players of RCA, as well as to the Ivorian football family."
Ivory Coast legend Drogba, however, was left serious unimpressed with the medical services, or a lack thereof, in the stadium at the time of the tragic incident, and demanded more protection for players following Sylla's untimely passing.
"Condolences to Ivorian football," Drogba, who lost a bid to become FIF president last year, said, per BBC Sport.
"Three deaths of Ivorian professional league players in less than four years.
"Where are the compulsory medical visits for each professional player? The blood tests, the ECGs, the stress tests?
"When will sports medicine arrive?"
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FIF has since confirmed via its official Facebook account that teams in the country's top three divisions, as well as the women's top flight, will observe a minute of silence before every match going forward and will wear black armbands.
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