La CAF suspend le Togo pour les deux prochaines CAN

La Confédération africaine de football a annoncé ce 30 janvier qu'elle avait décidé de suspendre la sélection togolaise pour les deux prochaines éditions de la Coupe d'Afrique des nations.Une sanction qui fait suite au forfait des Eperviers après l'attaque de leur car par les rebelles cabindais. La CAF avait pourtant promis de ne pas punir le Togo, en deuil, après le décès de deux membres de sa délégation.


De notre envoyé spécial à Luanda

C’est le dernier acte d’une gestion désastreuse de l’affaire de l'attaque du car togolais. La Confédération africaine de football (CAF) a annoncé ce 30 janvier, par le biais d'un communiqué, que l’équipe du Togo sera suspendue pour les CAN 2012 (au Gabon et en Guinée-équatoriale) et 2014 (en Libye) : « Le Comité Exécutif décide de suspendre l’équipe nationale représentative du Togo pour les deux prochaines éditions de la Coupe d’Afrique des nations. Une amende de 50 000 dollars US est également infligée á la Fédération Togolaise de Football. » La raison : l’intervention du gouvernement togolais pour que sa sélection renonce à participer à cette CAN 2010 en Angola.
Le 8 janvier, les Eperviers avaient été attaqués à la mitrailleuse par des militants du Front de libération de l’enclave de Cabinda (FLEC) alors qu’ils se rendaient en car du Congo à Cabinda. Deux membres de la délégation avaient trouvé la mort dans cet assaut : Abalo Amélété, l'entraineur des gardiens, et Stanislas Ocloo, le chargé de communication. Deux joueurs avaient également été blessés : Kodjovi Obilalé et Serge Akakpo. Après plusieurs heures de flottement et de tensions avec la CAF, Lomé avait décidé de rapatrier l’équipe nationale malgré le désir des joueurs de rester pour honorer la mémoire de leurs collègues.
La CAF sans pitié

La CAF n’a pas apprécié cette décision comme l’a expliqué son président, Issa Hayatou à l’AFP : « Quand il y a interférence politique, on ne peut pas l'accepter. C'est exactement comme le cas du Nigeria en 1996 quand les autorités politiques avaient retiré l'équipe nationale. C'était une interférence politique et nous avions sanctionné l'équipe nationale du Nigeria pour deux éditions […] Il n'y a pas de circonstances exceptionnelles à partir du moment où ce sont les autorités politiques qui les ont retirées. Si les joueurs togolais avaient décidé de partir, devant cette émotion, devant cette peine, on aurait compris. »
La Confédération s'est depuis refusée à tout commentaire dans l'immédiat. Elle a appliqué le règlement à la lettre : tout forfait moins de 20 jours avant le début du tournoi est sanctionné par une suspension pour deux phases finales (article 78, chapitre 36 du règlement de la CAN 2010). Le CAF avait pourtant assuré qu’elle se montrerait clémente. Et sa première réaction – mettre en cause le choix des Togolais de se rendre à Cabinda en car plutôt qu’en avion – avait déjà été perçue comme un grave manque de compassion. Mais les règlements de compte avec Lomé l'ont emporté sur les considérations humaines.

Caf decision over Togo makes no sense


Post categories: Football

Piers Edwards | 18:10 UK time, Saturday, 30 January 2010


Not since Buckingham Palace took so long to respond Princess Diana's death in 1997 has an organisation so badly misjudged the mood of the public.
For the decision by the Confederation of African Football (Caf) to expel Togo from the next two Africa Cup of Nations - following their Angola 2010 withdrawal after their team bus was machine-gunned (with two team officials dying) - is simply jaw-dropping.

Before we get into the whys and wherefores, let's just clarify why the Togolese have been suspended. In the statement they released on Saturday, Caf said the following...
'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 [Nations Cup] regulations. Therefore, a decision has been taken to suspend Togo for the next two editions.'
For their woes, the Togolese federation was also fined US$50,000 - as Caf twisted the knife.
In the same statement, Caf says it understands the players' decision not to participate in the competition but the African ruling body's insensitivity is still staggering.

Togo played a friendly against Togo Media, 15 January, to honour those who were killed
Some will argue Nations Cup regulations - Article 78 specifies such a punishment for teams withdrawing shortly before the competition - were simply being obeyed but just down the page, Article 80 will tolerate withdrawals 'in cases of force majeure accepted by Caf'.
Force majeure allows for an extraordinary event or circumstance, which the incident in the northern Angolan province of Cabinda on 8 January certainly was - with the Togo bus being attacked by rebels linked to the Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda.
When considering that two team officials lost their life, the African ruling body really does seem to believe Bill Shankly's well-worn opinions on football being more important than life and, more pertinently here, death.
When I asked Caf President Issa Hayatou earlier this month whether he regretted bringing the Nations Cup to Angola following the Togolese tragedy, his answer was enlightening.
For the Cameroonian proceeded to explain that there was no real problem having only three teams in Group B after Togo's withdrawal as it had happened before (when Nigeria withdrew from South Africa in 1996).
At that point, an aide came over to explain that the question had actually been about the deaths - whereupon Hayatou addressed the attack with little empathy.
On Friday, he expanded further - saying Caf had denied Togo's request to re-join the tournament after three days of mourning because satellites used for broadcasting had already been pre-arranged, one of a litany of excuses which didn't seem to hold water.
And while words such as 'cruel' and 'inhumane' are already being applied by football fans to the decision - 'stupid' has also followed.
Because whether you agree or disagree with the decision, its timing beggars belief.
Caf argues that the African game doesn't get the coverage it deserves - but how is Sunday's Nations Cup final between Egypt and Ghana going to be about football when announcing this decision 24 hours beforehand?
Even while this tournament has progressed and become about the football, there was always the feeling that the Cabinda attack, which took place 48 hours before the opening game, would overshadow it.
Now it certainly will, as Caf reignited a fading ember at the worst moment.
Caf says it wants to give Togo time to appeal with the draw for 2012 Nations Cup qualifying looming - but they are still ensuring the final, like the opener, is coming second.
Inside talk suggests this is a political spat between the Togolese government, its football federation and Caf, who had a war of words with Prime Minister Gilbert Huongbo when the team withdrew.
And if this is indeed the case, this issue should not be used as a political pawn.
Especially in African football's biggest ever year as the planet's eyes turn to South Africa ahead of the continent's first staging of the World Cup, now just over four months away.
Amidst the fall-out, there will be chat about whether Hayatou, who has held his post for 22 years, is still fit to govern Caf - a question his army of critics will seize upon.
In an interview given to the BBC, Caf claims to be protecting the future of African football by adhering to tournament rules.
But how are they helping the next generation of Togolese players by giving them no continental championship to play for - and at least two years without competition until the 2014 World Cup qualifying comes around?
Personally, I'd be intrigued to know the thoughts of reserve goalkeeper Kodjovi Obilale who, lying in a Johannesburg hospital with a bullet lodged near his spine, is now being told that even if he does play football again, he'll be unable to compete in the next two Nations Cups.
Total madness - and I'm sure many of you will join me in hoping Togo's appeal will succeed.

• 1. At 8:52pm on 30 Jan 2010, Thorsteinn wrote:
  
  This is truly a shocking decision from CAF, and I believe no one thought that it would come to this. I still can not believe but CAF will make the punishment lesser, hopefully none.
  
  But now the Copa America is held next year in Argentina, which usually has two invited nations (Japan and Mexico probably). I think CONMEBOL must be smart enough to offer Togo to participate in the Copa America, it would be a great move for CONMEBOL and humiliating for CAF.
  
  If the ban will stay as it is I believe some African countries will boycott the next two African Cup of Nations in protest until CAF will lift the ban on Togo. That decision is just completely inhuman.
  
• 2. At 8:58pm on 30 Jan 2010, RememberScarborough wrote:
  
  It's time Uefa used it's political strength for good. A threat to withdraw all its teams from South Africa will soon change the Caf minds.
  
  
  
• 3. At 9:01pm on 30 Jan 2010, Nick wrote:
  
  Clearly CAF are not going to back down now, they would lose too much face. FIFA need to show some backbone on this issue and overrule them.
  
  
  
• 4. At 9:02pm on 30 Jan 2010, *Exiled Canary wrote:
  
  The ban is as inhuman as the original assassinations. Shame on you CAF.
  
  
  
• 5. At 9:02pm on 30 Jan 2010, laughingdevil wrote:
  
  This is the most insane decision ever! It' makes Blatters many crazy ideas over the years look well thought through and the height of inteligence!
  
  The fact is that CAF held a tournement in a war-torn country, and then when the consequences of that decision happened they blamed Togo to deflect from the many questions they need to answer, first of all why they didn't tell Togo that they were being based in a warzone!
  
  Hopefully other African nations will rally round Togo and threaten to organise a "friendly" tournement of some sort instead at the same time, it would be nice if all foreign broadcasters refused to broadcast tournements without Togo and if foreign based players refused to participate until they are re-instated. In a perfect world Blatter would come out an denounce the decision and tell them to over-turn it or CAF will no longer be recognised as a governing body. However Blatter has been silent (as usual) on the big issues, which is a surprise as he loves running his mouth about the small ones.
  
  The world-wide game is in a terrible state, with money, politics and a lack of sportsmanship decimating the game, this decision however really caps the lot and shows why Football generally is fast becoming a laughing stock.
  
  
  
• 6. At 9:02pm on 30 Jan 2010, Zebedee77 wrote:
  
  Shankly's had his tongue firmly in his cheek. CAF have a block of ice for a heart.
  
  This is a shocking decision. I hope Togo can get this overturned.
  
  
  
• 7. At 9:03pm on 30 Jan 2010, CraigB wrote:
  
  Didn't believe this ruling when I read it earlier and still cannot believe it. The insensitivity of some officials and / or bodies beggars belief. This smacks of dictatorship from a jumped up official who sorely needs to be removed from office.
  
  I hope the other African Nations threaten a boycot of these tournaments and force a retraction of the decision, an apology and a resignation.
  
  Will Sepp go public on this and shame CAF into changing the decision?
  
  Shame we have a blog on this decision and not what should be good final tomorrow!
  
  
  
• 8. At 9:03pm on 30 Jan 2010, Mr George Banjo wrote:
  
  The Princess Diana situation was hyped by the media to create a hysterical tabloid-buying public.
  
  But the Togo decision is hideous.
  
• 9. At 9:03pm on 30 Jan 2010, jollygrandsamster wrote:
  
  The decision to ban Togo is incomprehensible and insensitive to say the least. How can CAF justify its decision in the light of what had happened to Togo. One thing's for sure - if such a thing happened (God forbid !) to any of the participating countries in South Africa and it resulted in a withdrawal can you imagine the outcry - and to think that clubs in the Premier league couldn't give a monkeys about the CAF........now we know why.
  
  Togo deserves our sympathy and support, not frozen out in such a brazen manner.
  
• 10. At 9:06pm on 30 Jan 2010, NewOrleansRed wrote:
  
  It defies belief that the governing body could politicise such a shocking and tragic incident. Pathetic springs to mind. What a shameful mark on African football. Here's hoping Togo's appeal is succesful. Its disgusting that they should have to appeal in the first place.
  
• 11. At 9:13pm on 30 Jan 2010, dondon1961 wrote:
  
  This is the most stupid reaction by a governing group since the last time Blatter decided anything.
  When death comes to a competition the authoraties must make allowances for the grief that those close to the incident feel. Togo was in full mourning for three days and there is no way the team were in the right frame of mind to continue with the games before them.
  All of the other world associations must show their support for Togo and get this pig headed decision overturned.
  
• 12. At 9:15pm on 30 Jan 2010, foscari wrote:
  
  This is the most dispicable thing in Sport since the 1936 Berlin Olympics.CAF should we warned by the rest of the World that if they do not lift this ban, South Africa will lose the World Cup. I know that Blatter could not care less about what happened to the Togo side, and agrees with the CAF decision, but UEFA and the other football playing nations should tell FIFA and CAF that they wont get away with this. I always wondered how the World and particulary Africa let the tragedy of Rwanda to happen.Now I know.
  
• 13. At 9:21pm on 30 Jan 2010, NIreland1-0England wrote:
  
  This is an incredible decision which beggars belief. I've just sent an e-mail via the CAF website detailing my pure disgust and hope many others let them know exactly what the world thinks of this decision. It may well fall on deaf ears but hopefully common sense will prevail. I doubt it, they are a football authority after all.
  
  
  
• 14. At 9:24pm on 30 Jan 2010, milez1974 wrote:
  
  When the members of CAF sat round and decided this did nobody around the table think that this would outrage anyone who has any interest in football the world over. FIFA must make a stand against this, if they do nothing then they are agreeing that it is an appropriate response.
  Unbelievable
  
  
  
• 15. At 9:28pm on 30 Jan 2010, Oz Dave in London wrote:
  
  CAF's decision is a joke, as you have noted, the timing is horrible and the decision is just disgusting considering 2 people were killed.
  
  The silence on the issue on FIFA's website is equally abhorring. FIFA as an organization cannot read the minds of the people who follow the game. They messed up with the Henry hand-ball in a PR sense and again have here. To top that off they change their mind every 2 minutes on how World Cup's are run, Sepp Blatter and the other gooses in charge of football need to wake up and better yet be voted out.
  
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