African Nations Cup: Morocco No Longer Host

Morocco was dropped as the host of next year's Africa Cup of Nations after expressing the desire to postpone the competition over fears the Ebola epidemic will threaten athletes and visitors. Furthermore, the national team of Morocco was stripped of the right to compete in the finals in Africa's most prestigious football tournament. Morocco had just appealed for a postponement of the tournament that was due to start on January 17, 2015. Thousands of travelers entering the country so close to a source of the Ebola epidemic deeply worried the Moroccan organisers.

Morocco's request fell on deaf ears as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) repealed Morocco's hosting privileges and punished them for breaching their April 2014 contract. After Morocco was dropped as the host a replacement is yet to be named. The CAF insists that the dates of January 1 - February 8, 2015 will be kept, though. On November 26, 2014, all applications are expected to be reviewed again for the CAF to choose a new host.