I was shocked to read this from the CAF website. 

I think its unjust considering what the Togo team has been through & I think we should all bombard CAF & the NFA to express our disgust at this decision.

E-mail - info@cafonline.com

http://www.cafonline.com/competition/african-cup-of-nations-angola_2010/news/4587-togos-withdrawal.html
[center]
Togo’s withdrawal[/center]
   
The Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football met on 30 January 2010 and examined the withdrawal of Togo national team from the Orange Africa Cup of Nations 2010.

The Executive Committee and its president renewed their sincere condolences to the families of victims involved in this tragic terrorist attack which happened January 8, 2010. The attack was condemned by CAF and also a total support was given to the Togolese team.

At that time, CAF said they have understood perfectly the decision of players not to participate in the competition.

Meanwhile, following a decision taken by players to participate in the competition, the Togolese government decided to call back their national team.

The decision taken by the political authorities is infringing CAF and CAN regulations. Therefore, a decision has been taken to suspend the Togo national team for the next two editions of Africa Cup of Nations, with a fine of $50,000.00  handed to the Togolese national football association, in conformity with article 78 of Africa Cup of Nations Angola 2010.

Its wrong CAF. If it was Nigeria d wld never try that.

chidyke77:

Its wrong CAF. If it was Nigeria d wld never try that.

I don't think so.We were banned for two Nations cups after we boycotted in 1996 that was later reduced to one after we won the olympics.

On the subject,I think it's a damned shame CAF has chosen to act this way.
I would have thought that sympathy would have been what they would have taken its course,but apparently,CAF is looking at the financial losses incured from the three games that Togo were scheduled to play,instead of grieving over the three lives that were lost because of CAF's ineptude.
Banning Togo is cruel,harsh and ridiculous.
I think Hayatou has done enough and should go.CAF at its best is very disorganised but this one is the height of it all.

Why do we always have lunatics and idiots in positions of authority in Africa?

Hmn,on my part,i do support the suspension of Togo.
Definitely,the security of the lives of their citizens is the prime responsibility of any government,and to this,d Togolese govt did well BUT could have done better.
CAF aint beasts,of course they do sympathize with Togo but when our politicians dip in their noses and over-react with diplomatic rows (remember south africa 96?)the reputation of the beloved game suffers.
CAF is tryin to HONOUR the game and free it from govermental politics,WHICH I THINK,IS OK.

santanovva:

Hmn,on my part,i do support the suspension of Togo.
Definitely,the security of the lives of their citizens is the prime responsibility of any government,and to this,d Togolese govt did well BUT could have done better.
CAF aint beasts,of course they do sympathize with Togo but when our politicians dip in their noses and over-react with diplomatic rows (remember south africa 96?)the reputation of the beloved game suffers.
CAF is tryin to HONOUR the game and free it from govermental politics,WHICH I THINK,IS OK.

This is nonsense.
It would be callous to expect a team that had gone through the trauma of the gun attack,losing 3 members in the process,to continue that competition.There is supposed to be an LOC that takes care of Security issues.
South Africa 96 was a different scenario in that Abacha wanted a manliness-measuring contest with Mandela.Here,a team bus was attacked by rebels and three people died.CAF shoulda been wise enough to sympathise with the Togolese.
CAF is looking at losses incured by Togo's withdrawal,instead of being humane enough to let the incident be.
If CAF sympathises with Togo,this action tehy have taken would not have been handed down.Apparently,they care most about the revenue they earn over lives that have been lost

^^ dont forget that the players wanted to play,in honour of their dead colleagues until the hands of the govt and politics entered d issue.
I know it sure hurts,but governments should stay out of football!
The FA would have handled the situation better

True,but I think under the circumstances,it would have been harsh to allow those players to get on with the competition.
Psychologically,it would have been a waste of time.It's one of those situations where football should take a back-seat to real-life issues such as death.
CAF goofed big time on this one.i

"Many leaders as you see them na different disguise them dey ooh. Animal in human skin, Animal go wear coat ooh, Animal go wear agbada, Animal go put uh suit uh"

Fela must have had Issa Hayatou in mind when he wrote this masterpiece

Unbelievable. Big Shame to African football.

That's ridiculous!!!