Comments on: What Were They Thinking?! http://www.footballiscominghome.info/the-players/what-were-they-thinking/ Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:33:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Peter http://www.footballiscominghome.info/the-players/what-were-they-thinking/comment-page-1/#comment-4102 Peter Tue, 07 Dec 2010 10:04:30 +0000 http://www.footballiscominghome.net/?p=1743#comment-4102 Bad crazy stories from Togo continued well into 2010. My favorite is the "fake" national team going to play an international match in Bahrain. Details and some context here: http://www.slate.com/id/2269245/ Bad crazy stories from Togo continued well into 2010. My favorite is the “fake” national team going to play an international match in Bahrain. Details and some context here:

http://www.slate.com/id/2269245/

]]> By: Liberia http://www.footballiscominghome.info/the-players/what-were-they-thinking/comment-page-1/#comment-2011 Liberia Thu, 05 Aug 2010 08:47:53 +0000 http://www.footballiscominghome.net/?p=1743#comment-2011 Togo's ban is outrageous: http://www.liberiansoccer.com/Togos_Ban_is_Outrageous2010101918171615141321.htm Togo’s ban is outrageous:

http://www.liberiansoccer.com/Togos_Ban_is_Outrageous2010101918171615141321.htm

]]> By: Ndukwana http://www.footballiscominghome.info/the-players/what-were-they-thinking/comment-page-1/#comment-1925 Ndukwana Fri, 23 Jul 2010 09:15:11 +0000 http://www.footballiscominghome.net/?p=1743#comment-1925 Sports Quiz for Western Media (after Cabinda attack) by Zapiro: http://www.brandsouthafricablog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/zapiro.gif Sports Quiz for Western Media (after Cabinda attack) by Zapiro:

http://www.brandsouthafricablog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/zapiro.gif

]]> By: Alex Galarza http://www.footballiscominghome.info/the-players/what-were-they-thinking/comment-page-1/#comment-903 Alex Galarza Wed, 03 Feb 2010 22:41:10 +0000 http://www.footballiscominghome.net/?p=1743#comment-903 This is an excellent illustration of the absurdity of football's governing bodies. I shared this story with a friend who asked how such a decision was possible. In their mind, there had to be a rational explanation for such an irrational equation (Team attacked by terrorists = banned from competition) I began to break down the precedents set by FIFA for interference in national team affairs with the recent example in Chile and FIFA's threat to ban them from the world cup. (http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE5AP32X20091126) After a tortured explanation of the dynamics of FIFA's power in governing domestic disputes, The mental gymnastics required to justify CAF's actions in the Togo case are amazing. Incredibly, Hayatou can extend his condolences while cynically banning Togo to maintain the CAF's procedural 'integrity'. This is an excellent illustration of the absurdity of football’s governing bodies. I shared this story with a friend who asked how such a decision was possible. In their mind, there had to be a rational explanation for such an irrational equation (Team attacked by terrorists = banned from competition)

I began to break down the precedents set by FIFA for interference in national team affairs with the recent example in Chile and FIFA’s threat to ban them from the world cup. (http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE5AP32X20091126)

After a tortured explanation of the dynamics of FIFA’s power in governing domestic disputes, The mental gymnastics required to justify CAF’s actions in the Togo case are amazing. Incredibly, Hayatou can extend his condolences while cynically banning Togo to maintain the CAF’s procedural ‘integrity’.

]]> By: Gerard Akindes http://www.footballiscominghome.info/the-players/what-were-they-thinking/comment-page-1/#comment-902 Gerard Akindes Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:47:02 +0000 http://www.footballiscominghome.net/?p=1743#comment-902 CAF is totally out of touch with African reality. A such Imbecile decision is hard to believe specially in Africa. Emperor Hayatou seems to not have any common sense and humanity. We could explain, for financial stakes, the poor management of the Togolese attack by CAF communication office. But this cold application of a law or rule is hard to understand. CAF is trying to emulate FIFA's absurdity suggesting that government shouldn't be involved in football affairs. Who pays for the national teams' coaches and other logistical expenses? Who pays for the unreasonably high broadcasting rights? Who build the facilities and organizes the CAN? Governments in Africa are to be blamed for many many things but without them no CAN, no CAF, no World Cup in South Africa. The ridiculous decision by CAF to ban and fine Togo is a symbol of a "malmodernization" of African sport squeezed between the neo-liberal model in place in the US and Europe since the 90s and the political and socio-economic realities of sport in Africa. Governments are still the main stakeholder of African elite sport. The private model does not hold. CAF is totally out of touch with African reality.
A such Imbecile decision is hard to believe specially in Africa.
Emperor Hayatou seems to not have any common sense and humanity.
We could explain, for financial stakes, the poor management of the Togolese attack by CAF communication office. But this cold application of a law or rule is hard to understand. CAF is trying to emulate FIFA’s absurdity suggesting that government shouldn’t be involved in football affairs.
Who pays for the national teams’ coaches and other logistical expenses? Who pays for the unreasonably high broadcasting rights? Who build the facilities and organizes the CAN?

Governments in Africa are to be blamed for many many things but without them no CAN, no CAF, no World Cup in South Africa.

The ridiculous decision by CAF to ban and fine Togo is a symbol of a “malmodernization” of African sport squeezed between the neo-liberal model in place in the US and Europe since the 90s and the political and socio-economic realities of sport in Africa. Governments are still the main stakeholder of African elite sport. The private model does not hold.

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