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Spain Cancels DR Congo Warm‑Up Over Ebola Fears

Spanish officials said the decision reflects public‑health caution following the WHO’s declaration of a global emergency.

Overview

  • La Línea de la Concepción’s mayor signed a decree on Tuesday cancelling the June 9 DR CongoChile friendly after regional and municipal health services advised against hosting the match.
  • The Congolese Football Federation and FIFA are discussing alternatives with Spanish authorities, including finding a different venue or staging the game behind closed doors.
  • DR Congo’s squad has been based in Belgium after cancelling a home training camp and says it is following all required health protocols while seeking to keep its World Cup preparations on track.
  • International controls are complicating logistics: the WHO has declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern and the U.S. requires a 21‑day isolation for recent arrivals from affected countries.
  • Health authorities have identified the outbreak as the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which no licensed vaccine currently exists, increasing caution and the risk of further travel and match restrictions.