DR Congo vs Chile friendly cancelled over Ebola concerns in Spain
A planned international friendly between Democratic Republic of Congo and Chile in Spain has been cancelled after local authorities raised health concerns about the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo. Juan Franco, mayor of La Linea de la Concepcion, signed a decree preventing the match from taking place on 9 June. The decision was described as a precautionary measure following recommendations from the Andalusian regional health service and the municipality’s medical department. Franco stated that a report from the city’s health service advised categorically against hosting the match due to health risks. DR Congo are currently based in Belgium after cancelling a planned pre-tournament training camp in Kinshasa because of an Ebola outbreak in the east of the country. BBC Sport understands that none of DR Congo’s players have visited their homeland recently, but some support staff and fans have travelled from there. DR Congo are scheduled to face Denmark in a friendly in Liege on Wednesday before heading to the World Cup, where they will open against Portugal on 17 June.
What’s reported
Juan Franco, mayor of La Linea de la Concepcion, signed a decree cancelling the friendly between DR Congo and Chile scheduled for 9 June in Spain.
The cancellation was described as a precautionary measure based on recommendations from the Andalusian regional health service and the municipality’s medical department.
DR Congo cancelled a planned pre-tournament training camp in Kinshasa due to an Ebola outbreak in the east of the country.
None of DR Congo’s players have recently visited their homeland, but some support staff and fans have travelled from there.
The US public health agency has banned entry from non-Americans who have been in DR Congo, Uganda or South Sudan in the previous 21 days.
The Ebola outbreak in eastern DR Congo is caused by the rare Bundibugyo species, for which there is no vaccine; the WHO said a jab could take up to nine months to prepare.
Key figures
Juan Franco, mayor of La Linea de la Concepcion
Sources: BBC News
