Togo players miss flight for Dortmund

FRANKFURT, June 18 (Reuters) Togo did not leave their team base Wangen today on time for a planned departure to their next World Cup group match.

''We are still in the hotel,'' coach Otto Pfister told Reuters on the phone when the team was meant to get on the plane to Dortmund, where they are due to play Switzerland tomorrow.

Togo's World Cup debut has been overshadowed by a row over players' pay, in which Pfister walked out on a team that boycotted training sessions only to return days later.

Asked whether Togo were boycotting the match, a source close to the team just said the side showed no signs of getting ready for their departure.

''The departure (from the match camp in Wangen) was planned for now but the players are showing no signs of getting ready or leaving,'' the source said.

While players said yesterday a solution had not yet been finalised, officials have insisted the pay dispute is settled but have not given details.

Togo, who lost their debut against South Korea 2-1, are due to play Switzerland in Dortmund tomorrow.

Reuters AY RN1605