Monday, February 1, 2010

Togolese to fight ANC ban

Adebayor attended the funerals of Abalo Amelete and Stanislas Ocloo
 
  Togo's government will fight the country's suspension from the next two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, after branding their ban "insulting".
The Confederation of African Football (Caf) suspended the Hawks and fined them $50,000 for withdrawing after a gun attack on the team bus in Angola.
On Sunday, Togo captain Emmanuel Adebayor called the decision "outrageous".
Government spokesman Pascal Bodjona did not confirm what action Togo will take.
Two members of Togo's delegation were killed in the ambush on 8 January, two days before the tournament began.
Following the attack there followed a period of confusion, but the players were ultimately called home for three days of national mourning by their government.
But Caf deemed that move amounted to political interference, leading to Saturday's sanction.
Bodjona said the team asked to come home after the attack.
However, Adebayor said they wanted to stay for the tournament, but were ordered home.
"This [Caf's] decision is outrageous," Adebayor told French newspaper L'Equipe on Sunday.
The Manchester City striker claimed Caf's Cameroonian president Issa Hayatou had "completely betrayed" the Togo squad.
"Mr Hayatou has served Africa extensively, but now he must be released [from the post]," added Adebayor.
However, 25-year-old Adebayor retorted: "They do not care about the voice of the world.
"It was our head of state (Faure Gnassingbe) who sent us to the African Cup of Nations to defend the colours of our country.
"He said the threat surrounding our squad had not gone and told us to return to our country. We are only ambassadors. We were obliged to return, and there was nothing we could do."
Togo's French coach, Hubert Velud, has also expressed astonishment at the decision, saying he wants to know whether Fifa president Sepp Blatter and Uefa chief Michel Platini support the ban.
"I am curious to know if Blatter and Platini will endorse this decision," said Velud.
"If they let this go, it is the gateway to completely dysfunctional football. I officially launched an appeal to international bodies to see their reaction."
Story from BBC SPORT

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