MONTREAL — Didier Drogba demanded to be taken off the Montreal Impact's 18-man roster for Sunday's derby game with Toronto FC after learning he wouldn't start the match, a source close to the situation told Goal.

The club initially explained Drogba’s exclusion as as result of back problems, but according to the source Drogba had a falling out with coach Mauro Biello after learning the coach planned to start forward Matteo Mancosu instead of the Ivory Coast international.

Team is saying it's due to a bad back...conflicting reports tells us something is going on in Montreal. #MTLvTOR #MLS https://t.co/k7d6c51ELg — Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) October 16, 2016

Biello confirmed to reporters after the match — a 2-2 draw — that Drogba had asked to be left off the squad after learning that he would not be in the starting lineup.

Biello on Drogba: "He didnt accept the fact to come off the bench, he didnt want to be in the 18." — Kristian Jack (@KristianJack) October 16, 2016

#IMFC coach Mauro Biello confirms reports that Didier Drogba asked out of 18 against Toronto after being told he wouldn't start. — Doug McIntyre (@DougMacESPN) October 16, 2016

Rumours earlier in the week linked the 38-year-old Drogba with a move to Serie A. The Impact (11-10-12) clinched a playoff spot in the draw on Sunday, while TFC had already qualified for the postseason. Nacho Piatti scored both of the Impact's goals.