Spanish Mayor Bans DR Congo vs Chile Friendly, Citing Ebola Risk Despite Team's Compliance with World Cup Health Protocols
The mayor of La Linea de la Concepcion signed a decree cancelling the June 9 match citing health risks from an Ebola outbreak in eastern DR Congo. The decision follows advice from regional and local health officials.
blackenterprise.comJuan Franco, mayor of La Linea de la Concepcion, signed a decree on June 2 banning the June 9 friendly between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Chile. The town of 65,000 residents lies near the border with Gibraltar. Franco described the measure as precautionary and said he acted on recommendations from the Andalusia regional government’s health service.
The head of the municipality’s medical service also advised against hosting the match. “A report by the head of the mayoralty’s health service of La Linea advised categorically against hosting the match given the health risks which might arise,” Franco said. An Ebola outbreak was declared in eastern DR Congo in mid-May.
The DR Congo national team cancelled a planned pre-World Cup training camp at home and has kept players based in Belgium. DR Congo are scheduled to play a friendly against Denmark in Liege, Belgium, on June 3. Coach Sebastien Desabre and player Chancel Mbemba appeared at a press conference ahead of that match.
The DR Congo football federation stated that the team is compliant with protocols set by the 2026 World Cup host nations. US authorities said on May 22 that the squad must isolate for 21 days before entering the United States. The World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19 and is co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
DR Congo players plan to be based in Houston, Texas, during the tournament. DR Congo will open Group K play against Portugal on June 17 in Houston, face Colombia on June 24 in Guadalajara, Mexico, and meet Uzbekistan on June 28 in Atlanta, Georgia. The team last appeared in the World Cup in 1974, when it competed as Zaire.
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