So let me get this straight. Citing Article 78 of the African Cup of Nations 2010 tournament rules, the Confederation of African Football Executive Committee has decided to fine the Togo National Team $50,000 and suspend them from participating in the next two editions of the African Cup of Nations (ACN) because they withdrew from the 2010 ACN after enduring a terrorist attack that killed three people (an assistant coach, a spokesperson and a bus driver).
Now if this decision strikes you as unsympathetic, think again. The Executive Committee and the President of CAF went so far as to profess their sympathies to the families of the dead and point out that they condemned the attack. In addition to their verbal proclamation of support, CAF were quick to remind us all that they offered the Togolese their full support following the attack. My, my, how time flies. It is as if the Executive Committee was made up of schizophrenics. How else can you explain them going from “we feel your pain and are with you” to “yeah, sorry about putting you in danger, but please don’t forget to pay up and by the way, don’t come back anytime soon.”
It is sad that CAF couldn’t err on the side of human dignity and common sense in making a decision on how to handle Togo’s withdrawal from the African Cup of Nations. After all, as much as we all love the game, it is just that, a game. It should never overshadow the loss of life, no matter what! As if that were not bad enough, it is unconscionable that CAF have failed to take any responsibility for the death of the three members of the Togolese contingent. After all, it was their questionable judgment that lead to games being held in Cabinda in the first place (see Mr. Longbottom’s post on the geography of Angola). Instead of admitting some culpability and showing some empathy, the CAF have decided to add insult to injury.
Terrorists tried to kill players. 2. Trying to protect their player’s lives, they took the most natural and understandable decision, to keep away from danger. 3. They interpreted this as in irregularity and penalize the team.
Did I get this right?
Moreover, this is one of the most bizarre decisions I have ever come across in my life but considering we are dealing with another arm of the FIFA mugs is anyone really surprised?
Yes rules are rules but there is a time and place when common sense should prevail.
The Togo government were right to intervene. Citizens of their country had already been killed and they obviously had worries for the rest.
CAF didn’t protect the Togo team in the first place by playing matches in such a precarious zone and now they are banning them for what essentially was the fault of the CAF and not Togo, ridiculous.
The other African Nations can show a bit of support to their colleagues here by refusing to play in the ACN unless Togo are reinstated.
Blatter, Platini, Hayatou – why is football run by imbeciles and their politics?