Morocco pulls out from hosting Africa Cup of Nations 2015

Morocco has failed to meet a deadline to confirm it will go ahead with the hosting of January’s African Nations Cup finals, throwing the 2015 tournament into jeopardy amid fears over the spread of the Ebola virus.

Morocco officials, who want the 16-team event postponed, said they had rejected an ultimatum set by the Confederation of African Football to confirm their hosting of the continental championship, set from January 17 to February 8.

A decision on the tournament will now be made next week when CAF have an executive committee meeting in Cairo but Morocco are almost certain to be stripped as hosts.

A statement from Morocco’s sports ministry said: “The decision is dictated by health reasons because of the serious threat of Ebola and the risk of its spreading.”