Mills issues Togo's suspension appeal

Accra, March 10, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills has appealed to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to reconsider the suspension of Togo from participating in the next two editions of the Africa Cup of Nations.

President Mills reemphasized the concerns raised by the leaders of the West Africa sub-regional group, ECOWAS at their last meeting in Abuja. "I'm not aware of any response to our appeal; but if the appeal has not gotten to you, I will want to renew it on a personal level," the President said when Alhaji Issa Hayatou, President of CAF and a delegation paid a courtesy call on him at the Osu Castle in Accra.


Alhaji Hayatou and his delegation were at the Castle to inform President Mills of the Glo-CAF Awards Night slated for Thursday, March 11, 2010, at the Banquet Hall, State House in Accra. President Mills appealed to the football governing body to reconsider its sanctions on Togo on the grounds of mercy and in accordance with African values and traditions, especially when deaths were involved. Togo was fined 50,000 dollars, forfeited their appearance earnings of the Nations Cup for Angola 2010 and banned from the next two editions of the competition after they pulled out of the Angola event when they were ambushed by armed men in Cabinda a day before commencement of the tourney. President Mills assured the continental body that "Ghana is going to make CAF proud" when the FIFA World Cup Mundial commences in South Africa on June 11 and commended CAF on its "excellent works", giving the assurance of Ghana Government's commitment towards CAF initiatives.

He reckoned it was uneasy managing football more so when a lot of people claim to be experts in football administration and are passionate about it and commended Alhaji Hayatou on his leadership role. Alhaji Hayatou invited President Mills to the Awards Night at which, African footballers, coaches and sponsors would be recognized for their contributions to the development of the game.