Final Whistle

Our thoughts are with the Togo national team today as they head home following the terrible attack on their team bus last Friday.

At times like this you realise just how unimportant football is: three men died in the sustained attack, leaving all those on board the bus probably permanently scarred in one way or another.

It was a little amazing that the Togo team did not receive more support from the tournament organizers and Fifa following the attack, however, as the only proper response was for the team to go home and withdraw from the tournament. That the team was, according to most reports, under pressure to remain in the African Cup of Nations seems incredible.

Whatever the truth behind the scenes might be, we hope that all those who were injured in the attack are blessed with a speedy and complete recovery. We also hope this is the last time we hear of such a tragedy in relation to our beautiful sport.