RABAT
The Moroccan government on Friday denied reports that it had decided not to host the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) tournament, scheduled for January 2015.
"This is an official denial of such claims; Morocco's stance is clear [on the issue]," Morocco's Youth and Sports Ministry said in a statement.
The rumors circulated earlier this month after Morocco officially requested to delay the tournament over fears that the deadly virus might enter the country through the African football fans expected to flock to Morocco for the event.
"Morocco is preparing alternatives [to present] at a meeting with members of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) within coming days," the ministry said.
The CAF has set November 2 to respond to Morocco's request to delay the tournament.
In recent months, Ebola – a contagious disease for which there is no known treatment or cure – has killed at least 4,484 people in West Africa, according to the World Health Organization.
The virus has also reared its head in the Democratic Republic of Congo and in other countries outside Africa.
www.aa.com.tr/en
