Kanoute has demanded action over the violence at Togo v Mali

Mali won the game 2-0 last week in Lome to qualify for the finals in January at the expense of their hosts but their fans and players were attacked when fighting broke out.

Sevilla striker Kanoute and Stoke City's Mamady Sidibe both suffered injuries, according to Mali officials.

Sidibe was cut on the arm by a spectator while Kanoute needed stitches for a cut on his back.

"People came on to the pitch. At first we were a little nervous although it was nothing serious," Kanoute said.

"It went from bad to worse and we had to go to the dressing room but we didn't know where to go because we were in the middle of the pitch. The people came on the pitch and started hitting us...It is the worst experience I have had.

"It was very, very serious. The Malians in the stands suffered even more."

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) is to discuss the incidents at a meeting on Thursday in Accra.

"It is a job for Fifa. I am sure they are going to do something, we have to do something.

"If it had happened in Mali I would have said the same.

"It can't be allowed to happen, there has to be a punishment."

But the Malian was keen to point out this was not a problem unique to Togo or Africa.

"Remember what happened in Seville last year (when Sevilla coach Juande Ramos was knocked unconscious by a bottle thrown from the stands during a game). You can't only talk about savages in Africa," Kanoute said.

"It is the same in Europe. Perhaps the police are better organised and the fans can't get on the pitch but it could happen here as well."