CAF set Morocco Afcon deadline

[Muslera]

CAF set Morocco Afcon deadline

Robin Bairner
Nov 3, 2014 16:01:06

Morocco have voiced their concerns over hosting the tournament and the risk of Ebola spreading to the country, but the governing body are determined to see the competition go ahead

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has told Morocco they have until November 8 to decide whether or not they will host the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

The competition, which is due to be held in the North African state, has been placed in doubt because of the Ebola epidemic that has hit the continent.

Morocco are pushing for a postponement after being warned by their own health ministry that hosting the tournament could raise the risk of the disease spreading to the nation.

However, after a meeting in Algiers, CAF unanimously agreed that the competition should go ahead from January 17 until February 8 – the dates initially agreed upon.

A CAF statement read: "The Executive Committee of CAF confirms its commitment to keep the competition on the dates indicated, while asking the Royal Moroccan Football Federation to clarify the position of Morocco no later than 8 November, 2014.

"This time given also applies to all other CAF national associations wishing to organise the competition on the dates agreed as long as the hosting requirements are met."

A further meeting is scheduled for November 11 in Cairo, Egypt, where the governing body say they will make the “necessary decisions” over the competition.

So far, CAF has placed bans on affected countries Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia from hosting any international football, while all football matches have been suspended in the former of those three nations.