DR Congo criticizes cancellation of friendly match against Chile due to Ebola concerns

Local authorities called off the match citing public health concerns related to the Ebola outbreak in the DR Congo. Juan Franco, Mayor of La Linea de la Concepcion, signed a decree banning the match based on a recommendation from the town’s health service, which advised against the fixture due to potential health risks. DR Congo’s Minister of Communication, Patrick Muyaya, described the decision as unfair during a virtual press conference organized by the World Health Organization.

Muyaya stated that the cancellation has created difficulties for the national team’s preparations, noting that the players had been training in Belgium for approximately three weeks. He suggested that the decision could be interpreted as discriminatory. The DR Congo national team has been training in Belgium ahead of its World Cup campaign, and reports indicate that none of the 26 players are based in DR Congo or traveled directly from the country to the training camp, though some support staff and supporters may have done so.

The cancelled fixture was intended as part of DR Congo’s preparations for upcoming international competitions, including the World Cup.