If anyone ever needs lessons on how to kick someone while they're down, they should look no further than the Confederation of African Football for guidance.

Last week, CAF decided to ban Togo from the next two African Nations Cups for pulling out of the edition that just took place in Angola.

They cited the clause in their regulations that states that governments are not allowed to interfere in football decisions, which is precisely what Togo's government did when they ordered their team to return home.

But what they seemed to have forgotten was that Togo's government withdrew its team because of the small matter of their bus being attacked by terrorists on the way to the tournament.

I realise that being ambushed by machinegun-wielding maniacs is only a minor incident and something that happens to many teams on a regular basis, but maybe it would have been nice to take it into consideration before issuing any bans.

To be frank, I find this one of the most appalling decisions in the history of football administration.

This is a time when CAF should be putting their arms round Togo, consoling them and seeing if there is anything they can do to help. They should be offering support and consolation, not banning and fining a nation whose national team players have been through a life-changing incident.

Let's not forget that two of the Togo delegation died in the attack and many others were shot and injured. That the players themselves were prepared to continue in the tournament was admirable. But that their government decided it was safer and more respectful to withdraw is totally understandable.

Don't get me wrong, I would usually never condone any sort of political interference in sport. It is totally unacceptable under normal circumstances. But these circumstances were anything but normal.

By issuing this ban, CAF has shown insensitivity of the highest order. They have followed the rules but totally diverged from the reality. Every single one of the people that forms the decision-making body needs to have their heads checked because I am not entirely sure they are fit to be human beings, let alone human beings with authority.

Togo captain Emmanuel Adebayor has called on CAF president Issa Hayatou (what a brilliant name for us Maltese) to be removed after 22 years in office. And I agree. Any man who presided over a decision of such mind-boggling stupidity has no place in football.

As I write this, Togo's goalkeeper Kodjovi Obilale is still in a South African hospital with a bullet lodged close to his spine. Maybe Hayatou should fly over there and explain to the injured lad face-to-face just why, if he ever recovers enough to play football again, he won't be able to take part in the next two African Nations Cups for 'political reasons'.

On second thoughts I don't think forcing Hayatou to make that trip would be enough. They should stick him onto a bus and open fire on it. Then, when his wife tells him not to go to work the following day, give him the sack. Togo will obviously appeal against the ban and, like just about everybody else who cares for football, I sincerely hope they win that appeal.

If they don't, then it is time for Sepp Blatter to step in and take some executive action. Interestingly, Fifa has so far not commented on CAF's ban, and I would suggest this is because they are waiting to see how it all pans out before intervening.

Blatter is nothing if not shrewd, and I am fairly sure he will be secretly relishing the prospect of playing the role of Togo's saviour and riding the wave of public sympathy for the African nation.

As long as justice is done, I don't really care how it happens.

A Terry naughty boy

Don't think the whole John Terry saga has passed me by. Not at all.

It's just that deadlines being what they are, I am unlikely to know the verdict of Fabio Capello's meeting with his (ex?) captain in time to be able to express my opinion with any sort of accuracy. I will catch up on the ins and outs - if you will pardon the expression - of the story, next week.

In the meantime, however, I will share with you my favourite joke that has been doing the rounds.

It centres on a imaginary phone call between Capello and Wayne Bridge.

Fabio: Hello Wayne. I just wanted you to be the first to know before you read it in the newspapers. The rumours are true - John Terry has lost the captain's armband.

Wayne: Really?

Fabio: Yes. Would you mind checking under your bed for it?

New week, new owners

With the news that Portsmouth now have their fourth different set of owners this season, they have achieved a record that will probably never be beaten.

Hong Kong businessman Balram Chainrai had lent the previous owners money to try to help them out. But when that money was not repaid he apparently took up his option to take 90 per cent of the club instead.

Sadly for Pompey fans this isn't a takeover by someone who has the club's best interests at heart and is willing to refinance and rebuild it. In fact, the only reason Chainrai took the club was because if it had been allowed to go into liquidation, he would have had to write off his loans.

So that means he will put just enough money in to ensure the club doesn't go into administration while trying to find yet another owner willing to take on the club's plight.

To add another twist to the story, the club's previous owner, who was its current owner until a few days ago, is going to challenge the new owner in court to get the club back. (Are you keeping up, because I am not sure I am).

It is all just another ridiculous episode in what must surely be the most glaring case of football club mismanagement in the history of the game.

If Portsmouth's season continues in the same vein for the next few months, by May they could end up with more owners than points.

It really is a truly sad situation for a club of Portsmouth's history and tradition. I only hope someone, somewhere is eventually held responsible for allowing it to happen.

But deciding who that should be will be difficult considering Portsmouth's boardroom seems to have a revolving door on it.

Vote of confidence

There is nothing a footballer likes to hear more than his manager talking him up. A few choice words of praise fill them with confidence and drive them on to put in better performances with their chests puffed out and heads held high.

So what on earth was Everton boss David Moyes thinking when he said this about Philippe Senderos, who he has loaned from Arsenal:

"Philippe was as good as we were going to get in our situation."

The Swiss defender must be bursting with pride and brimming with confidence following the manager's ringing endorsement of his skills.

Or maybe not.

sportscolumnist@timesofmalta.com