Thibault Klidje disputes Patrice Neveu’s account of Togo absence

Thibault Klidje has challenged Patrice Neveu’s explanation for his failure to join Togo’s squad for the June international camp, saying administrative issues, the need for family time and physical problems had led to his decision.

The Togo forward responded on social media only a few hours after the national team manager discussed his absence. In a detailed post, Klidje rejected the suggestion that his reasons for not reporting for international duty were unfounded.

“Mr manager, I have always sacrificed myself for the national team and my nation, Togo, from the youth teams through to the senior side,” he wrote.

“I have played matches while injured because of my love for my country. From listening to you, were my reasons for not responding to the June call-up unfounded?”

Klidje said he had informed Neveu early in their discussions that visa-related administrative problems involving his club meant he would have to return two weeks earlier than expected.

According to the striker, that situation would have left him with only one week to spend with his family before joining Togo for six days.

“During our discussions, I explained to you very early that, because of administrative problems my visa linked to my club, I had to return two weeks earlier than planned,” Klidje said.

“That left me with only one week with my family, followed by six days with the national team.”

The international also said he had raised the issue of needing a break after spending a year without seeing his relatives. He argued that the players Neveu had referred to were in a different position because they had taken time off in December.

“You made me understand that I did not need a holiday, even though it had been a year since I had seen my family,” he wrote.

“The others you mentioned had a holiday in December.”

Klidje added that he had also told the manager about physical difficulties he was experiencing at the end of the season. He said he was undergoing medical examinations in hospital when Neveu tried to contact him repeatedly.

“On top of that, I explained to you the physical problems I had at the end of the season,” Klidje said.

“In fact, I was in hospital having tests when you called me several times in a row.”

The forward ended his message by reaffirming his respect for Neveu and his career, while criticising the manager’s handling of the disagreement.

“You are the boss, certainly, but not every decision rests with you,” he wrote.

“I respect you for your career, but please stay firm and guide us towards qualification.”