Morocco pulls out of hosting Africa Cup of Nations

The Confederation of African Football has confirmed that the country will not host the competition and has thus been disqualified from the 2015 edition

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has confirmed that Morocco will not host the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations and has now been disqualified from the competition.
Morocco had requested that the Afcon be postponed until 2016 due to fears over the spread of Ebola, but Caf recently rejected this possibility.
The country has now opted to pull out of hosting the finals, and Caf has announced that as a result they have been expelled from playing altogether.
"The Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football 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," a statement read on Caf's official website.
"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 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 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.
"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."
The Africa Cup of Nations is due to kick off on 17 January and run until 8 February.