The Confederation of African Football has confirmed that Morocco will not host the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. In addition, the country, who qualified for by virtue of their hosting, is now expelled from participating in the tournament.
Africa Cup of Nations still up in the air after CAF confirms Morocco will not host
Morocco have also been expelled from the 2015 tournament, which is now without a venue.
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Earlier in the month, Morocco appealed to CAF to delay the tournament, scheduled to take place January 17 - February 8, 2015. The country’s sports ministry cited fears of the Ebola virus in their request that ACON be postponed until 2016.
CAF, however, elected to reject any postponement. Secretary-general Hicham El Amrani said they had consulted with the World Health Organization, who had made it clear they only recommended canceling mass gatherings in heavily affected nations, of which Morocco is not one.
Morocco then refused to confirm their ability to host, leading to the decision to strip them of their duties and eject them from the tournament. A total football ban has been recommended, and they may also see themselves removed as hosts of the Club World Cup.
The trouble is that no countries have publicly stepped forward to declare their interest in hosting next year's tournament. There are rumors that Nigeria may be the venue, with cynics saying they are offering to host because the Super Eagles, currently third in their group with one match left to play, are unlikely to qualify otherwise. Nigeria co-hosted the Africa Cup of Nations in 2000 and are the current trophy holders.
UPDATE: There will be a second meeting of the CAF executive session on Wednesday, at which the new host will be decided. Three nations are apparently in the running.
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