CAF Maintains Ban on Guinea Hosting Matches Amid Ebola Concerns
Guinea will have to wait longer before it can resume hosting international football matches on home soil, as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) reaffirmed its ongoing ban due to the Ebola outbreak in the region.
In a statement issued this week, CAF dismissed reports suggesting that Guinea had been cleared to stage matches at home. The governing body reiterated that the circular dated August 12, 2014, which prohibits Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone from hosting CAF competition matches, remains fully in effect.
“CAF wishes to remind that the circular of August 12, 2014, which prohibited the organization of CAF competition matches in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone due to the epidemic caused by the Ebola virus, remains in force,” read the statement.
The precautionary measures were implemented in response to the ongoing Ebola crisis, which has had a devastating impact on public health in parts of West Africa. As a result, all three nations remain barred from hosting any CAF-sanctioned events until further notice.
Guinea, whose national team is competing in the qualifiers for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, has already begun adapting to the restrictions. The Syli Nationale played their opening match of the qualification campaign in Casablanca, Morocco, where they secured a 2-1 victory over Togo. The U-17 side also continued their campaign in Morocco, defeating their Togolese counterparts 1-0 in Jadida last weekend.
CAF confirmed that its Executive Committee will continue to assess the situation and is expected to decide in the coming weeks whether new safety measures will be introduced or the existing ban extended.
Until then, Guinea and other affected nations will be required to continue hosting their matches in neutral venues deemed safe by CAF and international health authorities.
