Amidst mounting fears of the dreaded EBOLA outbreak, the supposed-host, Morocco, of the upcoming African Cup of Nations 2015, took pains to ask for the postponement of the games.
However, the Confederation of African Football (CAF)'s executive committee, the governing body, was quick to implement its carrot and stick policy. The CAF executive committee made a quick and rather harsh decision to ban Morocco from participation in one of the biggest sporting events in 2015, according to Mail Online.
Mail Online further reported that the governing body has firmly decided that the scheduled African Cup of Nations will go on as planned. After Morocco's request to postpone the games has been rejected, severe sanctions were imposed on the said country by the confederation.
Not only was it stripped of its hosting responsibilities, Morocco was also disqualified outright from the upcoming tournament. Several hosting contenders such as Algeria, Angola, Egypt and Nigeria were among the bidders being evaluated by the football confederation to host the gargantuan event, Mail Online added in the report.
The lucky contender who will be selected by the executive committee will be the chosen host of the Orange African Cup of Nations slated from January to February 2015, as per report gathered by Mail Online.
DW has reported that CAF President Issa Hayatou had a meeting with Moroccan sports authorities and a Nov.8-deadline was set for the Morocco to come up with a final decision. Citing fears of the deadly Ebola pandemic, Morocco hastened to point out that the risk is far too great in hosting the great event, reports reaching DW further confirmed.
Since the risks far outweigh the benefits in the said sporting event, Moroccan authorities lost no time in asking for a postponement. But Moroccan sports officials, reacting to the harsh penalties imposed by the CAF, re-affirmed in their statements that such sanctions are inflicting unjustified harm to Moroccan sports, DW reported.
Goal sports report has confirmed that the Royal Moroccan Football Federation has asked the CAF to defer the games until 2016 as fears of the spread of the deadly EBOLA virus mount by the day.
Sky Sports has also confirmed that the games, the Orange Africa Cup of Nations 2015, slated January 17-February 8 in Morocco, will not anymore take place in that country due to the risks associated with the spread of the deadly virus.
The qualifying matches for the Orange Africa Cup of Nations will continue as scheduled on Nov.14 to 19, the winners of which will comprise the 15 teams that will be participating in the upcoming football tournament, Sky Sports further reported.
