Madrid, June 5: The Democratic Republic of Congo has criticized the decision by Spanish authorities to cancel a friendly match. The match, scheduled for June 9 against Chile, was called off due to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the African nation.
The game was set to take place in La Línea de la Concepción, southern Spain. However, Mayor Juan Franco announced on Tuesday that the match would not proceed due to public health concerns.
Franco stated, “I have signed the order to suspend the match between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Chile on June 9.” He explained that local health officials advised against hosting the match due to potential health risks.
The DR Congo team is currently training in Belgium under a secure health system as they prepare for the World Cup. Reports indicate that none of the 26 players are currently playing in Congo or have traveled directly from there to the training camp in Belgium. However, some support staff and possibly a few fans may have traveled from Congo.
During a virtual press conference organized by the World Health Organization (WHO), DR Congo’s Communication Minister Patrick Muyaya expressed regret over the situation.
He said, “We are facing a serious issue with Spanish authorities. They have decided that our national team cannot play its second scheduled match due to Ebola.”
Muyaya added, “I believe that none of our players are playing in Kinshasa or the Democratic Republic of Congo. They have all been in Belgium for nearly three weeks preparing for the World Cup. Such decisions can be seen as discriminatory.”
According to the World Health Organization, Ebola is a severe and often fatal disease. The virus can spread from wild animals, such as fruit bats, porcupines, and other primates, to humans. It then spreads through direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids, organs, or other physical fluids of infected individuals.
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