The Democratic Republic of Congo has expressed strong concern over the cancellation of its scheduled international friendly against Chile, after authorities in Spain called off the match due to public health considerations linked to an Ebola outbreak.
The fixture, originally set for June 9 in La Linea de la Concepcion in southern Spain, was cancelled following a directive from local authorities citing health and safety risks.
Local Authorities Cite Health Concerns
Officials in the Spanish town confirmed that the decision followed recommendations from local health services.
The mayor, Juan Franco, reportedly signed a decree prohibiting the match after receiving a report advising against holding the fixture.
The move was described as precautionary, aimed at addressing potential public health risks.
DR Congo Team Already in Preparation Camp
Despite the cancellation, the DR Congo national team has been undergoing preparations in Belgium ahead of upcoming international competitions, including World Cup qualifiers.
Reports indicate that the players involved in the camp are based outside DR Congo, with none travelling directly from the country to Belgium.
However, concerns were raised over logistical implications for staff and supporters linked to the programme.
Government Reacts, Calls Decision Unfair
Reacting to the development, DR Congo’s Minister of Communication, Patrick Muyaya, criticised the cancellation, describing it as unjust and disruptive to the team’s preparations.
He argued that the squad had already been in structured training for weeks and suggested the decision could be viewed as discriminatory.
The matter was also raised during a virtual briefing organised under the World Health Organisation (WHO) platform.