Audio By Carbonatix
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."
Source: BBC
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Energy Analyst back calls for removal of floor pricing in Ghana’s downstream petroleum industry
3 minutes -
Legalisation of ‘Okada’ will address rider indiscipline – NRSA Â
14 minutes -
Chief Justice lauds GTEC for sanitising tertiary education space
17 minutes -
Coalition calls for probe into Heath Goldfields’ takeover of Bogoso–Prestea mine
29 minutes -
AMA engages stakeholders ahead of major decongestion exercise
30 minutes -
Oppong Nkrumah rallies NPP delegates behind Bawumia ahead of flagbearer contest
34 minutes -
Major pipeline burst to disrupt water supply in Tema and parts of Accra – GWL
41 minutes -
Circle fire exposes encroachment on land originally Planned as Garden – NADMO
44 minutes -
New Ghana cultural policy set for rollout by end of 2026 – NCC Director
48 minutes -
Ghana to begin weekly local gold refining under new landmark agreement
49 minutes -
Photos: Arise Ghana pickets US Embassy to demand Ken ofori-Atta’s return
51 minutes -
Minority slams Ablakwa over ‘tit-for-tat’ diplomacy, says Ghana is being isolated internationally
53 minutes -
Adutwum rebuts ‘chisel’ tag, says his spending is purpose-driven
59 minutes -
GPRTU warns members against illegal fares and short-distance trips amid transport crisis
1 hour -
GoldBod and Gold Coast refinery sign landmark deal to refine gold locally
1 hour
