In a sad episode in African football, FIFA has had to intervene to quell a match boycott by Togolese players over a pay dispute. FIFA warned that if the players boycotted Group G match against Switzerland today, they would be disqualified from the World Cup and face further sanctions. No team has ever boycotted a match at the final stage of the World Cup since it started in 1930. The players are demanding exorbitant fees of up to US$200,000 each to play in the tournament, plus US$39,000 each per win and US$20,000 per draw.


