Congo’s soccer team seeks alternatives after Spanish city cancels World Cup warmup game due to Ebola
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MADRID (AP) — Congo was still hoping to play its World Cup warmup against Chile after the mayor of the Spanish city of La Linea de la Concepcion denied authorization for the match because of health concerns related to the Ebola crisis.
Congo’s soccer federation said it was in discussions with the Spanish soccer federation and relevant international bodies to find solutions.
Government authorities in the southern city of La Linea de la Concepcion announced the decision to not authorize next Tuesday’s friendly citing possible health risks linked to the Ebola crisis.
Congo was playing a warmup against Denmark in Liege, Belgium, on Wednesday.
An outbreak of a rare type of Ebola virus has plagued Congo and Uganda. The World Health Organization has declared it a public health emergency of international concern.
Congo had already canceled a three-day World Cup preparation training camp and a planned farewell to fans in the capital Kinshasa because of the outbreak the eastern part of the country.
All of the Congo players and the team’s French coach, Sébastien Desabre, are based outside of the central African country with most of them playing in France.
Soccer’s governing body FIFA previously issued a statement saying it was aware of and monitoring the situation regarding an Ebola outbreak and was in close communication with Congo soccer officials to ensure the team was made aware of all medical and security guidance.
Congo will play in Group K at the World Cup. It faces Portugal for its opening game in Houston on June 17.
The Leopards then face Colombia in Guadalajara on June 23 before playing Uzbekistan in Atlanta for their final group game on June 27.
Congo’s first World Cup qualification since 1974, when it was called Zaire, sparked scenes of jubilation across the nation, which has been battered by decades of conflict.
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AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup