Togo outraged by African Nations ban

In what has been seen by many as a puzzling decision by the CAF, the African Football Federation, Togo has been banned from the next two African Cup of Nations events. This is due to their pulling out of this year’s African Cup of Nations, which just finished in Angola.

They chose not to compete in the competition after their team bus came under gunfire a short time before their first match was due to take place. It was attacked by robbers who wanted to hold up its passengers for ransom.

Two people were killed in the attack, both members of the Togo coaching and back room staff. Originally, the team said that it would leave the country instantly to mourn its dead, but they had an 11th hour change of heart which meant that they would in fact continue and play on.

Togo outraged by African Nations ban

The Togolese government, however, strongly advised them to return to Togo as the country was in shock, and did not believe that the football team should be participating in a festival of sport during such a delicate time.

CAF said this amounted to government interference in sport, a charge which is very serious in the footballing world.

A spokesman for the Togo team said the ban was insulting to their dead, and their captain Emmanuel Adebayor said it was ‘outrageous’. They have not said what action they will take next, but they are expected to appeal against the ban.