CAF is opened for negotiations 96 Adamu

Accra, March 11, GNA - The Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) says it is open to negotiations with Togo over the ban imposed on the West African country for withdrawing from the recent Africa Cup of Nations in Angola.

Dr Amos Adamu, a member of the CAF Executive Committee said at a press conference in Accra on Thursday that 93We are ready to discuss issues with them on a round table but that will depend on their decision to exploit that opportunity".

He said CAF is ready to hold talks with the Togolese on a possible way out of the situation but the West African country has to take the first initiative towards amicable settlement of the issues. "There have been several pleas from international organizations including the Africa Union (AU), the Economic Committee of West African States (ECOWAS), the Togolese Minister of Sports as well as Ghana's President John Evans Atta Mills, but the Togolese have not exploited these opportunities." Dr Adamu stated.

Dr Adam said the confederation nature of the cases does not make it possible for any form of negotiations because the matter is pending before the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS). "Until the case is taken out of court, there is no way we could have any form of negotiations because the case is pending before the court". Dr Adamu explained.

"If they insist on battling with us in the courts, then we will have no way option than to take them on there". He added. Explaining the circumstances behind the ban, Dr Adamu said the main reason for the ban was that the withdrawal of the Togolese from the competition and that was the basis for the action. "There are so many ways to kill a rat, but the fact is the rat must be found dead and the circumstances under which Togo withdrew from the competition does not matter".

CAF it will be recalled imposed a two tournament ban on Togo from the next two Cup of Nations following their withdrawal from the just ended Africa Cup of Nations in Angola.

Togo withdrew from the competition after an attack on their team whilst enrouting through Cabinda to Angola from DR Congo for the competition.