A planned friendly between the DR Congo and Chile in Spain has been cancelled. The mayor of the host city pulled the plug. The reason? Ebola fears. This is a major embarrassment for the Congolese FA. They had secured a high-profile fixture in Europe. Now it's gone.
The mayor acted unilaterally. No consultation with football authorities. He cited public health risks. The DR Congo is currently battling an Ebola outbreak. But the match was to be held in Spain, thousands of miles away. Medics say the risk is negligible. The mayor is not taking chances.
Sources in the Congolese camp are furious. They say the decision is 'politically motivated' and 'xenophobic.' The FA chairman is considering legal action. He argues the cancellation damages the country's image and costs the federation money.
The Chileans are also upset. They had prepared for a competitive test ahead of World Cup qualifiers. Now they face a weekend without a game. A Chilean FA official called it 'unprofessional' and 'hasty.'
The Spanish football federation is staying silent. They are caught in the middle. Local politicians are backing the mayor. They say public safety comes first.
This is a developing story. More details to follow. But one thing is clear: the politics of fear have won the day. And football is the loser.
