Montpellier to Screen Siaka Tiéné for Ebola Following International Duty
BBC Sport – France
Montpellier defender Siaka Tiéné will undergo precautionary medical tests upon his return from international duty with Ivory Coast, as concerns over the Ebola outbreak in West Africa continue to ripple through the football world.
The French Ligue 1 side has confirmed that Tiéné, who participated in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, will be medically screened before rejoining the squad. The move reflects growing caution among European clubs as the Ebola virus continues to claim lives in countries such as Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
Montpellier head coach Rolland Courbis defended the decision, saying it was a logical and necessary step.
“He will undergo a medical examination as a precaution, which seems logical to me,” Courbis told RMC. “After that, it’s difficult to do more. When we see Morocco requesting the cancellation of the CAN [Africa Cup of Nations] and that request being refused, one naturally wonders whether it’s being taken seriously enough.”
The club’s stance underscores the increasing anxiety in European football over the potential health risks posed by player travel to Ebola-affected regions. While Ivory Coast is not among the countries most affected by the virus, its proximity to outbreak zones has prompted heightened vigilance.
Morocco’s recent call for the tournament to be postponed — citing similar fears — has brought the issue sharply into focus. The Confederation of African Football (CAF), however, has so far insisted the competition will proceed as scheduled, prompting a wave of debate across the football community.
Tiéné, a seasoned international and former Paris Saint-Germain defender, is one of several African players based in Europe who could face additional scrutiny from their clubs following returns from national duty.
While the World Health Organization has not advised blanket travel bans, the measures taken by Montpellier reflect a broader trend among clubs aiming to protect both their squads and public health, even if only as a precaution.
As fears of a wider outbreak persist, football finds itself once again entangled in global health concerns — with clubs, players, and governing bodies navigating the difficult intersection of sport and safety.