The epitome of immorality: Togo is fined $50,000 and banned from the next two African Cup of Nations
The epitome of immorality: Togo is fined $50,000 and banned from the next two African Cup of Nations
Talk about kicking someone while they’re already down.
Togo have been charged $50,000 and banned from participating in the next two African Cup of Nations by the Confederation of African football (CAF) less than a month after their withdrawal from this year’s tournament due to an Angolan terrorist attack on the team bus.
Issa Hayatou, the president of Caf, said that the reason for the ban was because Togo’s decision to pull out was based on “governmental interference”. Now hold on… you charge the Togolese football federation, which had two members of their delegation killed on January 8th, 50,000 dollars because of a decision by the Togolese government? That seems completely illogical, doesn’t it?
The Togo government is furious over the decision, threatening legal action.
“This is a surprise decision and it means that people (Caf) have no consideration for the lives of other human beings,” Togo Interior Minister Pascal Bodjona told BBC Sport.
Togo midfielder Thomas Dossevi, who was on the bus when it came under fire minutes after it crossed the Angolan border from Pointe Noire, Congo, said Togo should appeal against the ban.
“Togo should appeal the suspension. When we said we were going home for a three-day mourning they said they were with us in this ordeal and now they punish us.”
Meanwhile, the families of the assistant coach and the press officer were taking legal action against the Caf and the Angolan state, their lawyer said.
“We are taking legal action because our compatriots were killed because of the mistakes of the Confederation of African Football (and) its president Mr Issa Hayatou,” lawyer Alexis Aquereburu said.
“(The legal claim is) also against the Angolan state for putting in danger the life of our compatriots by organising this African Nations Cup in a war zone.”
FIFA have declined to comment on the Confederation of African football, but for me this is a decision that ranks among the lowest of the low. How do you feel about this? Do the players deserve to be punished for what they had to go through?
