Once a discreet ally of the president of the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF), NCI's star journalist, Malick Traoré, is now openly at odds with Yacine Idriss Diallo. A look back at the behind-the-scenes story of a media-political clash that is shaking Ivorian football as the elections approach.

The turning point: The interview with Nicolas Pépé

For a long time, Malick Traoré displayed unwavering loyalty to Yacine Idriss Diallo (YID), regularly defending the FIF president's record on the Nouvelle Chaîne Ivoirienne (NCI) television channel. This is why his recent change of tone is causing such a stir.

According to several concordant sources, the point of no return was reached during a journalistic coup: the exclusive interview of striker Nicolas Pépé by Malick Traoré .

1. The context: At that time, the player was perceived as being definitively excluded from the Elephants, although no official sanction had been pronounced.
2. The impact: The interview generated such popular enthusiasm that the technical staff and the FIF management were forced to reassess the striker's case.
3. The consequence: While this scoop boosted the journalist's credibility, the FIF leadership perceived it as a rebuke and interference in sporting matters. Relations between the federation president and the presenter subsequently deteriorated.

Nantes' climax: Threats to TV rights

The crisis erupted during the France-Ivory Coast friendly match played in Nantes. Yacine Idriss Diallo strongly opposed Malick Traoré's role in managing the match's editorial strategy, accusing him of orchestrating an influence campaign in the Pépé case.

The affair has taken a major financial turn. NCI had acquired the broadcasting rights for this match for 35 million FCFA . According to available information, the president of the FIF allegedly threatened to cancel the contract outright—even repaying the sum out of his own pocket—and award the broadcast to RTI (the national television station) if Malick Traoré was not removed from the airwaves.

Suspicions of political conspiracy before the elections

With the FIF elections scheduled for September 12, 2026 , approaching, this dispute quickly became politicized. Yacine Idriss Diallo's entourage suspects that Nicolas Pépé's interview was secretly financed by Malick Adam Tohé , the FIF's first vice-president and a potential (though undeclared) rival for the presidency.

"By seeking to discredit Malick Traoré, the FIF hardliners have mainly pushed the president to alienate a key ally. Today, they are trying to portray his criticisms as personal revenge," laments a YID supporter currently abroad.

Although incriminating screenshots are circulating widely on WhatsApp, no material evidence supports any hidden funding.

The image war on social media

Since Malick Traoré broke his duty of discretion, pro-Diallo cyberactivists have retaliated by circulating an old video showing the journalist dancing in the Elephants' locker room. Their aim: to demonstrate that he benefited from privileges under the current administration. Traoré dismisses the accusation, denouncing it as a classic diversionary tactic: "They're pointing the finger to avoid looking at the moon."

Lieutenants at war, presidents in dialogue

The paradox of this crisis lies in the contrast between the violence of the online attacks and the reality behind the scenes. While spokespeople from both sides wage a relentless war on social media, reliable sources claim that Yacine Idriss Diallo and Malick Adam Tohé continue to speak directly to each other , each distancing themselves from the excesses of their supporters.

Less than ten weeks before the election, this affair perfectly illustrates the power dynamics within Ivorian football: the loudest battles and media score-settling do not always reflect the real negotiations taking place behind the scenes for control of the FIF.