Adebayor slams Togo colleagues

How can some players come together and decide they should tell the media that Keshi should not be sacked? Sheyi Adebayor

Togo striker Sheyi Adebayor has criticised his team-mates for interfering in national team coaching matters.

The Arsenal player told BBC Sport he did not support the decision of some of his colleagues to insist on the retention of Stephen Keshi as national coach.

Keshi was dismissed by the Togolese Football Federation (TFF) in mid-February, with German Otto Pfister replacing him.

But a group of Togolese players, including Eric Akoto, have demanded that the former Nigeria captain, who earned the West African country an unexpected berth at this summer's World Cup finals, be allowed to take the team to Germany.

"I am not a part [of the players demanding Keshi's return]," Adebayor said.

"How can some players come together and decide they should tell the media that Keshi should not be sacked?

"If you are a player, you should remain a player and not act as if you are the president of the federation.

"It was the federation that brought Keshi to Togo and not the players.

"If they decide to sack Keshi, it is their decision and not that of the players," Adebayor insisted.

Adebayor said that he would continue to honour international call-ups for Togo, regardless of who is in charge.

"If Keshi is the coach of Togo and he calls me to play for Togo, I'll go but I will also do the same for any other coach that is in charge of the national team."

Adebayor stands firm on his claim that Keshi attempted to act as his agent - a claim which Keshi has denied - when he had made up his mind to leave French club Monaco.

"Keshi told me that he had a good club for me. When he says this, it means that he wants to be my agent.

"I was not ready to accept this. A coach should be a coach."