A WORLD Cup warm-up fixture between Chile and Democratic Republic of Congo due to be played in La Linea has been cancelled amid concerns over an Ebola outbreak in the African nation.
Juan Franco, mayor of La Linea, has signed a decree cancelling the fixture scheduled for June 9.
Franco described the decision as a ‘precautionary measure’ and said he was following advice from the Andalucian health ministry and the city’s own health department.
He said: “A report by the head of the mayoralty’s health service of La Linea advised categorically against hosting the match given the health risks which might arise.”
The decision was taken due to the ‘possible health risks’ posed to the population of La Linea, which borders Gibraltar.
Chile and the DRC’s football federations attempted to negotiate with Spanish authorities to hold the match behind closed doors, but the fixture has now been cancelled outright.
The DRC, who have qualified for their first World Cup since appearing as Zaire in 1974, faced Denmark in a friendly on 3 June in Belgium.
DRC’s squad has been based in Belgium after cancelling a pre-tournament training camp at home following an Ebola outbreak last month.
An outbreak of the contagious virus was declared by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on 17 May.
Congolese authorities said confirmed cases in the DRC rose to 225 on Friday, nearly double the figure of 121 recorded two days earlier.
Officials have reported 1,028 suspected cases and more than 220 suspected deaths in the DRC, with the outbreak also spreading into neighbouring Uganda, which has recorded nine confirmed cases and one death.
The outbreak has been caused by a rare species of the Ebola virus known as Bundibugyo for which there is no vaccine.
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WHO officials say it could take up to nine months to develop and roll out a vaccine.
All members of the DRC national team play for clubs outside the country and are understood not to have returned home since the outbreak began.
Nevertheless, US authorities have announced that the team will have to isolate for 21 days before entering the country for the World Cup, which will be hosted across the US, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
The DRC’s team will be based in Houston throughout the tournament.
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