When and where next year’s Africa Cup of Nations is to be staged should be resolved within days, amid pleas from hosts Morocco to postpone the tournament over the Ebola epidemic.
The virus has claimed almost 5,000 lives this year, almost all in west African countries Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, according to the WHO.
Morocco fears a potential influx of several hundred thousand supporters from the other 15 finalists could spread the epidemic.
African soccer body CAF is holding a meeting of its executive in Algeria today, and tomorrow president Issa Hayatou is leading a delegation to Morocco for further talks.
CAF is then expected to issue a statement clarifying the situation after weeks of wild media speculation.
A senior African soccer official, who requested anonymity, told reporters there were three likely scenarios: Morocco backs down and agrees to the original hosting dates, from Jan. 17 to Feb. 8; CAF agrees to postpone the tournament to mid next year or early 2016; or talks collapse, Morocco withdraws and CAF seeks new hosts.
Unconfirmed reports of mid-week meetings involving Hayatou and Moroccan officials led Moroccan daily As-Sabah to claim a deal had been struck to delay the Africa Cup.
This report was swiftly denied by a CAF spokesman as “completely untrue.”
Of the countries approached as possible emergency hosts, Nigeria and Ghana are reportedly undecided, while Algeria, Egypt, South Africa and Sudan declined.
The Cup of Nations is crucial to CAF, as each tournament generates US$11.7 million from TV and marketing rights.
It is the biggest cash injection into the Cairo-based confederation with the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup club competitions earning a combined US$10.2 million yearly.
Only hosts Sudan, Egypt and Ethiopia competed in the first tournament 57 years ago, but under Hayatou, the Africa Cup has grown from eight to 16 teams and stamped its mark on the international calendar.
World-class, high-definition TV coverage is broadcast worldwide, showcasing the skills of Manchester City and Ivory Coast midfield dynamo Yaya Toure plus many other Europe-based stars.
However, Moroccan Minister of Sports Mohammed Ouzzine insists health must come before finances or football.
“Our demand for a postponement is motivated by the latest WHO report, which contains alarming numbers regarding the extent and spread of the virus,” he said. “Morocco are facing a historical responsibility as there has never been such a deadly Ebola epidemic.”
Quizzed regarding Morocco being happy to stage the FIFA Club World Cup this December, but not the Cup of Nations, the minister said the difference was the numbers of visiting supporters.
Ouzzine said far more were expected for the Cup of Nations, “possibly 300,000 or even more.”
“We are not equipped for that and I cannot see other countries being able to ensure checks and controls for such a large number,” he said.
Concern has also been expressed by European managers with African footballers in their squads, including Roberto di Matteo of German outfit Schalke.
“It is worrying. I know it is dangerous,” the Bundesliga boss of crack Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang said.
CAF seem worried about setting a precedent, saying that “since the first edition of the Africa Cup in 1957, the tournament has never been delayed or canceled.”
The continental body would also have welcomed support from FIFA this week with the global football federation praising how CAF has handled the Ebola crisis.
Measures taken include ordering Guinea and Sierra Leone to stage group qualifiers abroad. Liberia were eliminated at the preliminary stage.
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