Organizers Insist African Cup Of Nations Will Go Ahead Despite Ebola Fears
The dates for next year's African Cup of Nations will not be changed because of fears over the Ebola virus, according to the organizers ...
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The dates for next year's African Cup of Nations will not be changed because of fears over the Ebola virus, according to the organizers of the tournament.
The three-week competition is due to be staged in Morocco from January 17 to February 8 and the Moroccan government announced on Friday that it wanted the biennial 16-team event postponed.
The announcement followed a report by the Moroccan health ministry into the possible spread of the Ebola virus which has killed more than 4,000 people since the outbreak was first reported in west Africa in March of this year.
However, the African Football Confederation (CAF) insisted on Saturday that there would be no change to the schedule of the tournament.
CAF said it will send a high-powered delegation, led by its president Hayatou, to meet the Moroccan government next month to discuss the issue in Rabat.
"CAF acknowledges this request and confirms it will make no changes to its calendar of scheduled competitions," read a statement.
"We have taken into account the recommendations of the Organization and various medical experts. It should be noted that since the first edition in 1957 no Cup of Nations has ever been postponed or deferred.
"The request of the Moroccans will be discussed at the next meeting of the CAF executive committee scheduled for November 2 in Algiers.
"Subsequently a meeting will be organized between CAF and the Moroccans in Rabat on November 3. The delegation will be led by CAF president Issa Hayatou."
CAF has already banned international matches in Liberia, Guinea and Leone, which have been affected by the virus.
Source: Fox Sports
The three-week competition is due to be staged in Morocco from January 17 to February 8 and the Moroccan government announced on Friday that it wanted the biennial 16-team event postponed.
The announcement followed a report by the Moroccan health ministry into the possible spread of the Ebola virus which has killed more than 4,000 people since the outbreak was first reported in west Africa in March of this year.
However, the African Football Confederation (CAF) insisted on Saturday that there would be no change to the schedule of the tournament.
CAF said it will send a high-powered delegation, led by its president Hayatou, to meet the Moroccan government next month to discuss the issue in Rabat.
"CAF acknowledges this request and confirms it will make no changes to its calendar of scheduled competitions," read a statement.
"We have taken into account the recommendations of the Organization and various medical experts. It should be noted that since the first edition in 1957 no Cup of Nations has ever been postponed or deferred.
"The request of the Moroccans will be discussed at the next meeting of the CAF executive committee scheduled for November 2 in Algiers.
"Subsequently a meeting will be organized between CAF and the Moroccans in Rabat on November 3. The delegation will be led by CAF president Issa Hayatou."
CAF has already banned international matches in Liberia, Guinea and Leone, which have been affected by the virus.
Source: Fox Sports
