Morocco Banned From African Cup of Nations

Morocco has been stripped of hosting the African Nations Cup and banned from the competition after it requested a postponement of the tournament due to fears over the Ebola outbreak.

The Confederation of African Football's (CAF) executive committee took the decision at a meeting in Cairo on Tuesday and decided to keep the dates as planned for January and February next year.

CAF will now decide between several other bids from nations keen to host the African Nations Cup finals in Morocco's place.

Confederation of African Football (CAF) executive committee members

A CAF statement said: 'Having firmly and unanimously notified 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.

'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 president Issa Hayatou is adamant that the tournament should go ahead this winter as planned

Executive and Standing Committee Meetings of the Confederation of African Football (CAF)

Possible replacements as hosts include Algeria, Angola, Egypt and Nigeria.

CAF's statement added: 'The executive committee took note of receipt... of some applications of national associations confirming their desire to host the 2015 competition on the dates agreed.

'These applications are currently under review, and the executive committee will finalise the selection of the successful national association shortly and confirm the place and date of the draw of the final tournament at the same time.'

Nigeria celebrate their 2013 triumph but Morocco have been banned from the 2015 edition

FULL STATEMENT OF CAF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE DECISIONS ON #AFCON 2015

“At its meeting on 11th November 2014 in Cairo, the Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has taken note of the response of the Minister of Youth and Sports of the Kingdom of Morocco in a letter dated 8 November 2014 requesting the postponement of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations in 2015.

This response clearly indicates that the Royal Moroccan Football Federation reiterated its refusal to hold the competition on the dates indicated (January 17-February 8, 2015).

Therefore, 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.

The Organising Committee of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations will later apply the statutory provisions that are required due to a breach of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation regulatory and contractual provisions, including those set out in the Host Association Agreement signed between CAF and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation in April 2014.

The Executive Committee took note of receipt by 10 November, 2014 of some applications of national associations confirming their desire to host the 2015 competition on the dates agreed. These applications are currently under review, and the Executive Committee will finalize the selection of the successful National Association shortly and confirm the place and date of the draw of the final tournament at the same time.

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.

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.”