Kanoute shocked by death threats after Mali defeat

Tottenham striker Fredi Kanoute (R) says he may quit playing for his country Mali after he was threatened by angry fans following the 2-1 World Cup qualifier loss to Togo last weekend.

Tottenham striker Fredi Kanoute says he may quit playing for his country Mali after he was threatened by angry fans following the 2-1 World Cup qualifier loss to Togo last weekend.

The defeat by a last minute goal meant that Mali's hopes of reaching the World Cup finals in Germany next year had vanished.

Incensed fans among the 40,000 crowd invaded the field as the final whistle went and then there was widescale rioting in the streets of the capital Bamako which led to over 80 arrests and injuries to riot police and demonstrators.

Kanoute said it had been "the scariest experience of my career."

The 27-year-old said that furious fans had threatened to kill him and that he was seriously considering his international career.

"I don't know if I will play for Mali again. I have my family to think about," he said.

There was concern at Spurs for Kanoute's safety when initial attempts to contact him failed, but he has now reported back safe and well to London and resumes training with the club on Wednesday.

"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 said.

"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."