PtG Article 04.02.2010

Togo receives CAF ban for leaving tournament after attack

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has banned Togo from the next two Africa Cup of Nations, following their withdrawal from this year's tournament.

CAF also fined the Togalese football team $50,000 for quitting the competition in the wake of a gun attack on the team bus in Angola last month.

African football's governing body says the decision to pull the team out amounted to governmental interference in the sport.

"The players publicly expressed their willingness to return to the Nations Cup to compete. But the Togo government decided to call back their national team," Caf explained in its statement.

"The decision by political authorities contravenes Caf and African Nations Cup regulations."

FIFA has so far declined to comment on the ban.

 

SOURCE: AFRICANEWS