As we discussed a few weeks ago, the CAF decided to punish the Togolese National Football team by banning them from the next two African Cup tournaments due to their governments interference in team affairs. What interference you may ask? How about their Prime Minister summoning the team home after having their bus machine gunned down by Angolan terrorists, effectively forcing the nations forfeiture from this years African Cup tournament? Yes. That was their crime.

Thankfully, Togo isn’t taking the situation lying down. According to wire reports, the Togolese government have filed an appeal with the CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport) to repeal this sentence. With the support of the majority of the international community, they are hoping to lift this ban and the imposed $50,000 dollar fine that came with it.

To think that a case so clear cut and dry would not have already been put to rest is another injustice in a story that has been riddled with it. I will always be the first to say that a government has no place in dictating the affairs of their National team. But when lives are at stake, and national treasures like these world class footballers are staring down the mouth of death, maybe a pass is in order. Inflicting this type of brutal and heartless sentence on a team and nation that is still mourning the losses of it’s countrymen only serves as unnecessary salt in the wounds of a grieving people. Needless to say, I don’t get it.

Here’s hoping Togo receives justice.

February, 14, 2010