The football team of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has cancelled a three-day training camp in preparation for the World Cup, along with a scheduled public farewell to fans in Kinshasa, due to an Ebola outbreak in the eastern region of the country.
The DRC team is set to compete in World Cup warm-up matches against Denmark in Liege, Belgium, on June 3, and against Chile in southern Spain on June 9.
According to team spokesman Jerry Kalemo, both games will proceed as planned, as reported to The Associated Press on Wednesday.
In light of the outbreak of a rare strain of Ebola known as Bundibugyo, which has reportedly resulted in over 130 fatalities and nearly 600 suspected cases, the team will now conduct its pre-tournament preparations in a different location.
The World Health Organisation has classified this situation as a public health emergency of international concern.
Kalemo indicated that several team staff members based in the DRC are departing in the next hours.
FIFA, the governing body of football, released a statement confirming that it is aware of and monitoring the Ebola outbreak, maintaining close communication with the DRC Football Association to ensure that the team receives all necessary medical and security guidance.
Ban announced on foreign nationals from DR Congo
This week, the American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced a ban on the entry of all foreign nationals who have been in the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan within the last three weeks.
This ban is set to last for 30 days.
A US official stated that the Congolese World Cup team would not be impacted by the CDC entry ban, as they have been training in Europe for several weeks.
As a result, team members, coaches, and other officials who have not returned to the DRC in the past three weeks will not be subject to the entry restrictions, according to the official who requested anonymity due to the policy not being publicly disclosed.
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