Tottenham striker Fredi Kanoute says he may retire from international football after he was threatened by angry fans following Mali’s 2-1 World Cup qualifier loss to Togo last weekend.
The defeat meant that Mali’s hopes of reaching the World Cup finals in Germany next year had gone. Angry fans invaded the pitch and then there was rioting in the streets of the capital Bamako.
Kanoute said it had been “the scariest experience of my career.”
The 27-year-old was singled out by supporters who threatened to kill him. The incident has prompted Kanoute to consider quitting international football.
“I don’t know if I will play for Mali again. I have my family to think about,” he said.
“I was very frightened. At no stage did I actually think I would die but it was a seriously dangerous situation for all of us,” he added.
“I’m just relieved to be back. It was a very scary experience, the worst I’ve had to deal with in my entire career.
“I don’t think I did anything to deserve being singled out. I had missed a couple of chances but those were made by me. I didn’t miss any easy opportunities to score.”
