Ebola Concerns Prompt Cancellation of Pre-World Cup Match
A pre-World Cup friendly involving the Democratic Republic of Congo has been cancelled by authorities in a Spanish town over health concerns linked to an ongoing Ebola outbreak in the African country.
The mayor of La Línea de la Concepción in southern Spain confirmed the decision, describing it as a preventive step taken in line with advice from regional health officials in Andalusia.
Local authorities said the decision followed a health assessment that advised against hosting the fixture due to potential risks associated with the outbreak.
The town’s mayor explained that both municipal health authorities and regional medical experts raised concerns, leading to the formal cancellation of the match scheduled for June 9.
The Democratic Republic of Congo team had been preparing for the World Cup and recently relocated its training camp to Belgium following the outbreak. The squad has also faced additional health-related restrictions as a result of the situation.
The Ebola outbreak, declared in eastern DR Congo in May, has prompted heightened international health precautions, including travel and event restrictions affecting sports preparations.
The team is still expected to continue its pre-tournament fixtures in Europe, though adjustments have been made to its schedule and preparation plans due to safety concerns.
Health authorities in Europe and elsewhere have continued to monitor the situation closely as global sporting bodies assess potential risks linked to the outbreak.
