LONDON — Togo have told English football side Tottenham that they will call up striker Emmanuel Adebayor for this month’s Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in South Africa.
Adebayor, captain of the Hawks, has already slapped in his resignation letter from the national team claiming the country’s federation is still not organised.
The striker has also raised concerns about the security arrangement for the team following an armed attack ahead of their participation of the 2010 Afcon.
After the players’ coach was attacked by gunmen at the last tournament three years ago, Adebayor made it clear he did not want to return with security arrangements still questionable due to the lack of funds available to the cash-strapped national association.
However, Fifa statutes insist the only valid reasons for withdrawing from any of their fixtures are injury or illness — even the gentlemen’s agreement of “international retirement” is not formally recognised.
As a result, Togo have written to signal their intent to call up Adebayor, with Fifa sanctions and a ban a possibility if the player does not report for duty.
Tottenham have admitted that they could release the player for Africa’s flagship tournament.
“It’s a vulnerable situation and anything can happen. The player can still go. At the moment we understand there’s still that possibility and we just need to be aware of it,” Tottenham coach Andres Villas-Boas said.
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Togo have been drawn in a tough Group D where they face Ivory Coast, Algeria and Tunisia.
