Morocco stripped of 2015 Afcon hosting rights, disqualified from participating

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has stripped Morocco of the rights to host the 2015 Afcon following the north African Kingdom’s refusal to host the biennial continental tournament over fears of the Ebola epidemic.

“Having firmly and unanimously notified on 3 November its decision to keep the competition on the dates indicated, the Executive Committee confirmed that the Orange Africa Cup of Nations 2015 will not take place in Morocco,” read a statement on the CAF website.

“Accordingly, and following the refusal of the Moroccan party, the Executive Committee has decided that the national team of Morocco is automatically disqualified and will not take part in the 30th edition of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations in 2015.

CAF also said that preparations for potentially vital African Nations Cup qualifiers will continue as scheduled, despite the 30th edition of the tournament now lacking a host nation.

"The Executive Committee confirms the continuation of qualifiers match-days 5 & 6, which will be held during the month (14/15 November and 19 November), paving the way for the qualification of the 15 teams that will be joining the team of the host country."