Date Published: 02/09/10

CAF decision to suspend Togo laughable By Hakeem Babalola

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has suspended Togo national team from participating in the next two Cup of Nations. In addition, CAF also fined the Hawks $50,000 for quitting the competition. 

The decision by CAF to suspend Togo is due to the latter's withdrawal from 2010 Angola Orange Cup after rebels attack their team bus in the Cabinda enclave of Angola. 
 
CAF president Issa Hayatou told AFP the decision was based on "governmental interference", which led to the team's decision to pull out of this year's edition. 
 
Meanwhile, the Togo government has protested the decision, threatening court action. 
 
It could be recalled that three members of the team were killed when the rebels in the region attacked them a day before the competition on their way to the tournament arena.  
 
The armed wing of the Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (FLEC) claimed responsibility for the attack. 
 
CAF DECISION LAUGHABLE 
 
Small Voice says Hayatou led CAF is not serious in their myopic and selfish decision to suspend a nation which suffered such tragedy. If there's anyone to be suspended, it should be Hayatou and his entire cabinet who seems to prefer business management to human safety.  
 
They should all be ashamed of themselves for such impaired thinking. Small Voice therefore urges CAF to rescind its decision immediately as it portrays them as people without sound judgment. 
 
What should Togo have done? To take part in spite of the tragedy! This is sadistic expectation in its highest form. Will CAF have made the same decision if one of the dead players was a son of any members of CAF? So the one minute silence for the dead players during matches was hypocritical. 
 
The ball is in Mr. Hayatou court to save CAF from embarrassment over the suspension of Togo. It is simply a callous way of management. Those guys lost their lives due to lack of security by the organizers of the tournament.