BEEAFRICAN.COM 2012 African Cup Of Nations

There have been protests in Lome against the four year ban imposed on the Togolese team by the Confederation of African Football (Caf).

Thousands of people filled the streets to demand that Caf rescind its decision. Caf had suspended the team from the next two Africa Cup of Nations after they withdrew from the tournament in Angola.

The team pulled out after a deadly armed attack on their team bus. Two members of the Togolese delegation were killed in that attack by separatist rebels. After the attack the Togolese Prime Minister sent a plane to bring the players home.

Caf said it regards this as government interference and decided to ban Togo for four years. Organisers and press reports said between 25,000 and 50,000 people turned out for the protests. Protesters also waved placards and banners calling for Caf president Issa Hayatou to resign.

Togo captain and Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor has also called for Hayatou to step down.

Source: BBC Sport