Overview
- The mayor of La Línea de la Concepción signed a decree on Tuesday that bans the June 9 friendly between DR Congo and Chile after municipal and Andalusian health services recommended against hosting the match.
- Officials described the move as a precaution based on a municipal health report and regional public‑health advice rather than confirmed infections among players.
- DR Congo cancelled a planned home training camp and are training from Belgium while most players have not recently returned from the country, though some support staff and fans have travelled from outbreak zones.
- Public‑health authorities have escalated the outbreak: WHO declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in mid‑May, the CDC reported 321 confirmed cases as of June 1, and no licensed vaccine exists for the Bundibugyo strain.
- The cancellation has immediate operational effects — Chile asked to play behind closed doors and DR Congo must manage entry rules such as the U.S. 21‑day isolation requirement — and could further disrupt team logistics, fan travel and pre‑tournament scheduling.