Thursday 16 October 2014
AFCON 2015: Morocco set to withdraw as hosts
Morocco is set to withdraw as host of the African Cup of Nations next year due to fears of the Ebola Virus Disease; which has ravaged a number of African nations over the last few months, spreading to their country.
The Morocco government, through the country's football federation, has given CAF three scenarios - to either let them host the 2017 Afcon, CAF should postpone Afcon 2015 to 2016 or Morroco pulling out outrightly and facing any consequence from CAF - deemed to be a preventive measure of the disease finding its way into their country
A source at the Ministry of Sports said: "Should CAF rejected all our requests and suggestions then we would be forced to withdraw from hosting Afcon 2015 to preserve the safety of our citizens and for that we are prepared to take any consequences that comes with our actions."
South Africa could be considered as an alternative as well as Sudan who put up their request to CAF to be considered as an alternative host country.
South Africa was initially scheduled to host the tournament in 2017 following the withdrawal of Libya as hosts due to ongoing fighting there.
Egypt, meanwhile, had also indicated interest in hosting next year’s Nations Cup, stating its confidence in organising the competition on short notice.
Afcon 2015 is scheduled to take place between January 17 to February 8 2015. Morocco will be subject to severe sanctions, including suspension of their national teams and clubs, if they do eventually pull out.
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