Togo appeals ban to CAS

Togo have appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against their ban from the next two editions of the African Nations Cup.

Togo were banned by the Confederation of African Football following their withdrawal from this year’s tournament in the wake of a terrorist attack on their team bus that resulted in three deaths.

CAF objected to the withdrawal as they claimed the impetus came from the Togolese government, amounting to unacceptable political influence.

However, the decision has been widely criticised and now faces a legal challenge.

“The Togolese government have appealed to CAS against CAF’s decision to suspend the team from the next two tournaments,” sports minister Christophe Tchao told reporters.

An assistant coach and the team’s press officer – plus a driver – were killed when Togo’s bus was fired upon on the eve of the tournament in January.