English Premier League bosses plead to call off Africa Cup over safety fears
January 9th, 2010 - 2:44 pm ICT by ANI
London, Jan 9 (ANI): Horrified Premier League bosses last night called for the African Nations Cup in Angola to be scrapped, after the Togo team was attacked by rebels in Cabinda.
The Togo team coach driver was killed and two players injured when Angolan rebels opened fire with machine guns at two buses.
Manchester City will hold emergency talks with the Football Association after their striker Emmanuel Adebayor was caught up in the Togo gun horror.
Hull boss Phil Brown wants his two players back home now. “I am appalled. This throws a question mark against next summer’s World Cup.”
“You simply cannot put the safety of players, officials and fans at the slightest risk. That is totally unacceptable. I have two players - Daniel Cousin and Seyi Olofinjana - on duty and I want them back home here with us as quickly as possible,” The Sun quoted Brown, as saying.
Portsmouth has four senior players in Africa. The club also wants FIFA to stop the tournament going ahead tomorrow.
Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie said: “This is a terrible, tragic incident and I am very concerned about this whole situation. The safety of all the players must be paramount and that’s why I believe they should all come home as soon as possible.”
Spurs manager Harry Redknapp said: “It’s frightening. I agree it’s worth considering calling the whole thing off. We can’t just sit around and wait for the next shooting.”
It now seems certain that Togo will withdraw from Africa Cup, but others may follow suit.
Chelsea also has four players at the tournament, including star striker Didier Drogba.
A spokesman said: “Everyone at Chelsea is shocked but we will wait for information from the relevant authorities.” (ANI)
- Togo confirms withdrawal from Africa Cup of Nations - Jan 10, 2010
- 'Terrified' Togo players do not want to stay for Africa Cup: Adebayor - Jan 09, 2010
- Angolan rebels warn of more attacks on Premier League players - Jan 10, 2010
- Distraught Adebayor attends funeral of pals - Jan 16, 2010
- Africa Cup of Nations to go on despite terror attack (Lead) - Jan 09, 2010
- Africa Cup of Nations starts as confusion continues - Jan 11, 2010
- Adebayor in no hurry to return to England - Jan 14, 2010
- Adebayor prayed for life while smelling death in Angolan machine gun attack on bus - Jan 09, 2010
- Confusion continues over Togo's participation - Jan 10, 2010
- Togo withdraws from football tourney after terror attack (Lead) - Jan 10, 2010
- Togo football team arrives in Kenya without Adebayor - Feb 27, 2012
- Angolan rebels claim responsibility for attack on Togo team - Jan 09, 2010
- 2 held for attack on Togo footballers - Jan 11, 2010
- Adebayor up for Premier League challenge - Aug 22, 2010
- Drogba feared being shot like a rabbit in Angola - Jan 29, 2010
Tags: africa cup, african nations cup, angolan rebels, coach driver, daniel cousin, didier drogba, emergency talks, emmanuel adebayor, english premier league, harry redknapp, london jan, machine guns, olofinjana, phil brown, players officials, relevant authorities, safety fears, star striker, team coach, tragic incident