LOME (Togo), June 12: Togolese soccer fans voiced shame on Monday over their team's demands for hefty bonus payments at the World Cup, with one newspaper branding the row “a national disgrace”.

The ongoing pay dispute threatened to leave the West African debutants without a coach after Otto Pfister walked out last week, but the German announced on Monday he would return for the ‘Hawks’ debut on Tuesday.

“Togo's Participation in 2006 World Cup: A National Disgrace,” headlined newspaper The People's Struggle, saying the demands of the players were unrealistic given the country's economic plight.

“The Togolese have shown their defects to the whole world,” the newspaper wrote, adding they were the only team to have marred the tournament with financial demands.

“I am indignant and it is regrettable for our country. For the first time, we have the opportunity to participate in the World Cup and we ruin that honour because of personal interests,” said Patricia Da, who sells cloth.

Da said the team should be sent home and the players forced to pay a fine to soccer's ruling body FIFA.—Reuters