There was blood everywhere in the dressing room!

[Hortical]

Former Spurs hero and Stoke striker attacked by fans

Last updated at 12:52pm on 15th October 2007 Comments
Stoke have confirmed striker Mamady Sidibe is now back at the club receiving treatment after being attacked by fans while representing Mali at the weekend although the severity of his injuries remain unclear.
Sidibe and international team-mate Fredi Kanoute were both caught up in crowd disturbances as Mali secured qualification for next year's African Nations Cup with a 2-0 win against Togo in Lome.

Attacked: Fredi Kanoute



Angry home supporters invaded the pitch and targeted several players - including Sidibe and former Tottenham and West Ham star Kanoute - after the final whistle at the Kegue Stadium.
The 27-year-old reported back for training at the Britannia Stadium on Monday but the exact details of the arm injury he sustained are not yet known.
"Although we do not yet have full information on what took place in Togo, everyone will agree that no-one wants to see this type of thing happening," said City's chief executive Tony Scholes.
"Obviously our concerns are with Mama and the hope that the injury is not too serious. Our responsibility however is to protect our club and its players, and we will be making representations to the appropriate authorities."
Sidibe has yet to score for Stoke - who play host to Sheffield Wednesday this weekend - this season but has featured heavily under manager Tony Pulis.

Mali coach Jean-Francois Jodar told L'Equipe: "Mamadi Sidibe took a blow, doubtless with a weapon, which caused bruising to his arm. Frederic Kanoute was hit with a belt. "It was like a battlefield. There was blood everywhere in the dressing room."

[HL]

An some folks (here) got angry when they decided to cancel the game between Jamaica and Ghana at Leyton Orient Stadium (in China).

[Lazie]

Togo needs to face some sanctions for this. Damn it ... BAN DEM!!

[Hortical]

Kanoute calls for action

Kanoute calls for action over Togo pitch invasion


MADRID, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Mali striker Frederic Kanoute called on Tuesday for football authorities to take a tough stand over violent incidents that marred the end of an African Nations Cup qualifier between Mali and Togo in Lome last week.


Mali won the game 2-0 to qualify for the finals in January at the expense of their hosts but their fans and players were attacked when fighting broke out.

Sevilla striker Kanoute and Stoke City's Mamady Sidibe both suffered injuries, according to Mali officials. Sidibe was cut on the arm by a spectator while Kanoute needed stitches for a cut on his back. 'People came on to the pitch.

At first we were a little nervous although it was nothing serious,' Kanoute told a news conference in Seville. 'It went from bad to worse and we had to go to the dressing room but we didn't know where to go because we were in the middle of the pitch.

The people came on the pitch and started hitting us...It is the worst experience I have had. 'It was very, very serious. The Malians in the stands suffered even more.'

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is to discuss the incidents at a meeting on Thursday in Accra. 'It is a job for FIFA. I am sure they are going to do something, we have to do something. If it had happened in Mali I would have said the same.

It can't be allowed to happen, there has to be a punishment,' Kanoute added. But the Malian was keen to point out this was not a problem unique to Togo or Africa. 'Remember what happened in Seville last year (when Sevilla coach Juande Ramos was knocked unconscious by a bottle thrown from the stands during a game).

You can't only talk about savages in Africa,' Kanoute said. 'It is the same in Europe. Perhaps the police are better organised and the fans can't get on the pitch but it could happen here as well.'

Mali Football federation president Salif Keita said 15 supporters were injured after being attacked at the end of the match. Togo reports said several were taken to hospital in Lome.