Protesting Togo Fans Demand Sacking Of Coach Claude Le Roy

Police used tear gas to disperse angry supporters demanding the sacking of Togo national head coach Claud le Roy over what they described as the failure to lead the Hawks to 2019 Africa Cup of Nations finals.

The protestors, chanting anti-Togo football association slogans, were angered by Roy’s failure to resign from his position and called for his immediate dismissal.

The demonstrators under a group calling itself Martin Luther King Movement (MLKM) blocked major roads and disrupted businesses in the Togolese capital of Lome.

The supporters headed to the Municipal Stadium where they held a sit-down strike as a way of expressing dissatisfaction with the Frenchman’s tactics and player selection.

The youths had to scamper to safety after police officers fired tear gas canisters to disperse them.

A number of cars and motorcycles were damaged as the operators rode out of the city at high speed to evade arrest.

Togo lost 1-2 to Benin in their last Africa Cup of Nations qualifier played on March 24, a result that saw the team finishing last in Group D on five points, seven behind Algeria who topped the pool and six behind arch-rivals Benin.

The latest development could be the last straw for Le Roy who could be sacrificed to appease the angry supporters.

The federation is yet to decide on the demands from the supporters as the coach’s dismissal might come with a huge severance package.

Le Roy took charge of Togo national team on April 2016 where he signed a three-year-contract and made his ninth appearance to the Africa Cup of Nations.

The 71-year-old guided Cameroon to the 1988 African title. Among the other countries he has coached at the continental championship are Senegal, Ghana, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.