The beleaguered Togo soccer team was thrown into chaos Saturday after coach Otto Pfister walked out in fury over a pay dispute between the players and the national federation, just four days before its World Cup debut against South Korea.

Togo federation spokesman Messan Attolou said that Pfister had left the hotel in the middle of the night with his assistant trainer, Piet Hamberg. He refused to confirm or deny that Pfister had definitively resigned.

"He just said goodbye," Attolou said.

Attolou said that one of the members of the technical staff would lead a scheduled training session at 11 a.m. (0900 GMT). He said there would be a press conference in the afternoon.

The drama happened after Togo Prime Minister Edem Kodjo flew in late Friday to try to settle the pay row with the players _ but with no immediate result.

The players, most of whom are with smaller European clubs, have been holding out for euro155,000 (US$200,000) each to play in the tournament, plus euro30,000 (US$39,000) each per win and euro15,000 (US$20,000) per draw.

Attolou said the prime minister had told the players what pay was available.

"We will have a final agreement this evening," Attolou said.

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