DR Congo Condemns Chile Friendly Cancellation Over Ebola Concerns

The Democratic Republic of Congo has criticised the cancellation of its planned international friendly against Chile in Spain, describing the move as unfair and damaging to the team’s preparations for upcoming competitions.

Naija News reports that the match was scheduled to take place on June 9 in La Linea de la Concepcion, southern Spain, but local authorities called it off after health officials raised concerns linked to the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo.

Mayor Juan Franco announced that he had signed a decree banning the fixture following recommendations from the town’s health service. According to Franco, local health authorities advised against hosting the match because of potential public health risks.

The decision has sparked frustration within the Congolese camp, particularly as the national team has been based outside the country for several weeks.

DR Congo’s squad has been training in Belgium ahead of their World Cup campaign, with reports indicating that none of the 26 players currently in camp travelled directly from the country to Europe. Most members of the squad are also based abroad.

While some support staff and supporters may have travelled from DR Congo, officials insist the players themselves pose no health risk.

Reacting to the cancellation, DR Congo’s Minister of Communication, Patrick Muyaya, said the decision had disrupted the team’s preparations and raised questions about fairness.

Speaking during a virtual press conference organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO), Muyaya argued that the circumstances surrounding the squad had not been properly considered before the fixture was cancelled.

He said the players had been training in Belgium for around three weeks and suggested that the decision could be viewed as discriminatory.

“The players have been in Belgium for about three weeks,” Muyaya said, adding that the cancellation had complicated preparations for forthcoming international assignments.