Spanish mayor prohibits DR Congo vs. Chile friendly match over Ebola concerns
via SeneNews5 min read
The mayor of La Línea de la Concepción, Spain, Juan Franco, has prohibited a friendly football match between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Chile, scheduled for June 9. The decision was made out of "sanitary prudence" due to the Ebola epidemic in the DR Congo. This measure follows recommendations from the regional government's health service and a report from the municipal health service chief, who advised against the match due to potential health risks. The game was intended as a preparation match for the 2026 World Cup. The DR Congo team is also scheduled to play Denmark in Liège, Belgium, on Wednesday. The DR Congo is in Group K for the World Cup, alongside Colombia, Portugal, and Uzbekistan. A Congolese team official stated on May 21 that the team had canceled its World Cup preparation in Kinshasa to transfer to Belgium. On May 23, the White House indicated that the team would need to isolate in a "bubble" for 21 days to avoid Ebola contamination if they wished to enter the United States for the World Cup. Three Mexican airlines announced restrictions on travelers from African countries affected by Ebola on Friday, as part of preventive measures coordinated with the United States and Canada ahead of the World Cup.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by SeneNews.
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