Spain refuses to host match with DR Congo over Ebola fears; game moved to France

Spain has declined to host a preparatory World Cup friendly match between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Chile, citing concerns over the Ebola outbreak in Central Africa. The match, initially scheduled for June 9, was moved to Orléans, France, and will be played behind closed doors.

The decision followed a ban by the mayor of La Línea de la Concepción, a town in southern Spain, on the match due to the escalating Ebola epidemic. The outbreak, which began in mid-May, has affected the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighboring countries like Uganda, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to issue an international health warning. Over 500 cases have been confirmed, with dozens of fatalities.

Despite the health concerns, Congolese football officials maintain that none of the invited national team players reside in the affected areas. The team's planned training camp in Congo was canceled, forcing them to prepare for the World Cup in Europe. The Democratic Republic of Congo, which last participated in the World Cup in 1974 as Zaire, will face Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan in Group K. Chile failed to qualify for the tournament. The US authorities have required the Congolese team to undergo a 21-day quarantine before entering the country for matches scheduled in the United States and Mexico.