African football can be proud - Hayatou
African football confederation president Issa Hayatou said on Monday the continent can be proud of what it has achieved, just two weeks before Togo takes the federation to court to solve a dispute caused by a fatal terrorist attack at the African Cup of Nations.
Hayatou avoided a question on Togo’s disagreement with CAF, which will be heard at the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport on May 7, and has caused Fifa president Sepp Blatter to step in as a mediator.
“I didn’t come here to speak about the life of the Togo team,” Hayatou said, pointing out that he was in South Africa to be honored by President Jacob Zuma for services to African football.
Sitting alongside chief World Cup organizer Danny Jordaan, Hayatou preferred to look ahead to Africa’s first World Cup.
“We have realized our dream and everyone recognizes the value of African soccer,” said Hayatou, who has led CAF since 1988. “South Africa is playing the major role and we should be proud of the work we have done.”
Before the continent can celebrate its greatest sporting achievement, one of African football’s darkest moments will be remembered when Togo’s appeal is heard by sport’s highest court.
Togo pulled out of the African Cup of Nations in January after gunmen attacked its team bus in Angola’s northern territory of Cabinda, killing two members of the party and seriously injuring a third.
CAF responded to Togo’s return home by banning it from the next two tournaments, a punishment viewed as unnecessary and harsh.
“Everything has been said and everything has been done and everything is in hand,” Hayatou said of Togo’s appeal. “Certainly, you will have results in the coming days. Don’t be in a rush.”
Hayatou and Jordaan presented a united front in praise of African football’s progress. For the first time, the continent will be represented by six teams at the World Cup. While Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba and Cameroon forward Samuel Eto’o are two of the biggest names in world football.
“We have great footballers in the continent,” Hayatou said. “Football is the one expression in which Africa can compete equally.”
But the Cabinda tragedy led to Togo’s best-known player, striker Emmanuel Adebayor, giving up international football earlier this month, citing the emotional affects of the shooting.
“I will say it is a loss for football,” Hayatou said of the Manchester City striker’s decision. “He is free to do what he wants and no one can force him to do what he doesn’t want. He can only judge himself, but it is a loss.”
Hayatou’s next words will have offered little consolation for the demoralized Togo team.
“At national level, they (Togo) are authorized to play,” he said. “They did not suspend the national team of Togo (from all football), they only suspended them from the Cup of Nations. I think many among you don’t understand. They can play all the games except the Cup of Nations.”
Jordaan said he looked forward to welcoming the CAF president back to South Africa in June for the World Cup.
“The content of the World Cup is really the people, as they get excited and they embrace the event,” Jordaan said. “We hope it will be an African celebration of song and dance, and good football and fantastic goals.”
But the relationship between the World Cup host country and CAF has also experienced uneasy moments.
A local reporter asked Hayatou if he could set the record straight over whether or not he supported South Africa in its failed bid to host the 2006 tournament.
“It was a secret ballot. You don’t know who I voted for,” Hayatou responded. “You cannot speculate on this, you aren’t even as old as my son. You cannot just shoot at me like that.”