AlHijjah 22, 1435, Oct 16, 2014, SPA -- Morocco has denied reports it has withdrawn as host of next year's African Cup of Nations football tournament although it wants the competition postponed, AP reported. Information Minister and government spokesman Mustapha Khalfi said Thursday Morocco wants the tournament, Africa's premier football event, postponed because Moroccans could be threatened by the Ebola outbreak in west Africa. African football's ruling body CAF insisted on Thursday that the tournament should carry on as planned in February and March 2015. The Confederation of African Football has canceled all football in the three worst affected Ebola countries Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone until further notice, but says it is following the advice of the World Health Organization that travel bans will not help curtail the outbreak. CAF President Issa Hayatou will travel to Morocco next month to meet officials over their concerns, but the group said there can be no postponement. "CAF has registered the request and wishes to state that there are no changes of the schedules of its competitions and events," CAF said. CAF has apparently reached out to at least two other countries to ask if they would step in at short-notice if Morocco refuses to host on the original dates of Jan. 17-Feb. 8. -- SPA 21:56 LOCAL TIME 18:56 GMT تغريد
