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
-
NPP MPs summon Afenyo-Markin today over Sammy Gyamfi’s allegations
22 minutes -
GNFS responds to bus crash, trailer fire in Greater Accra
24 minutes -
‘Tag NPP with corruption, silence the opposition’ – Afenyo-Markin accuses govt of intimidation strategy
39 minutes -
‘If I speak, BNI will call me’ – Afenyo-Markin alleges intimidation of NPP MPs
53 minutes -
Ghana projects 18,748 jobs from 2025 foreign investments – GIPC
60 minutes -
Middle East tensions put Ghana’s reserves under pressure – BoG Governor
1 hour -
Government to replace grid-powered streetlights with solar systems nationwide – Agbodza
1 hour -
Falling interest rates could unlock billions in Ghana’s debt markets – Amo Agyapong
1 hour -
Bawumia honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award by AME Zion Church
1 hour -
Invest in the craft, not hype: Ghanaian creator Adnan Saani on why social media alone will not pay
1 hour -
Upper East takes delivery of 28 motorbikes under FSRP
2 hours -
Accountability forum will continue to drive development – Central Regional Minister
2 hours -
Parliament resumes today for five-day sitting amid pending ministerial nominations
2 hours -
50 pick forms to contest 11 NPP executive positions; five eye chairmanship
2 hours -
Getting heard in Parliament currently is difficult – Afenyo-Markin
2 hours