Spanish Town Bars Congo–Chile World Cup Friendly Over Ebola Concerns
The town's refusal removes a scheduled June 9 warm-up for a World Cup team, creating a need for last‑minute rescheduling of Congo's preparation matches.
Overview
- La Línea authorities in Spain formally refused permission for the Congo versus Chile friendly that had been scheduled for June 9, citing health concerns tied to an Ebola outbreak in the Republic of Congo.
- The decision was presented as a public‑health precaution and illustrates a municipal power to deny sporting events on health grounds.
- Congo is using European friendlies in its World Cup build‑up and had played a warm‑up against Denmark on June 3, so the blocked match removes a planned step in the team’s final preparations.
- Japanese outlets reporting the refusal did not publish confirmed responses from the Congo or Chile football federations and no alternative venue or date has been announced.
- The move highlights how infectious‑disease concerns can directly disrupt international sport and adds logistical pressure on a team returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1974.