The football pitch has been dragged into a storm of controversy after the Democratic Republic of Congo fired back at the cancellation of its international friendly against Chile, describing the decision as heavy-handed and unfair.
The match, originally billed for June 9 in La Línea de la Concepción in southern Spain, was abruptly pulled the plug on after local authorities cited public health concerns tied to Ebola fears linked to the Central African nation.
City mayor Juan Franco, a Juan Franco, confirmed he signed off on the ban following recommendations from health officials, who warned that staging the fixture could pose potential risks.
However, DR Congo has accused the decision of being an overreaction that turned precaution into punishment. Officials argue that the game was swept away by fear rather than facts.
The national team, which has been sharpening its claws in Belgium ahead of World Cup preparations, insists it has no direct link to any health threat. Reports indicate that all 26 players are based outside DR Congo and did not travel directly from the country, though some members of the wider entourage may have.
Reacting sharply, Communication Minister Patrick Muyaya said the cancellation was a bitter blow and described it as unjustified, adding that it has disrupted the team’s carefully laid preparations.
He made the comments during a virtual briefing organised under the umbrella of the World Health Organization, stressing that the squad had been in Belgium for about three weeks and suggesting the decision risked being interpreted as discriminatory.
For DR Congo, the aborted fixture was more than just a friendly—it was a crucial stepping stone on the road to upcoming international competitions, including World Cup qualifiers. Now, that stepping stone has been kicked away, leaving the team stranded in mid-preparation.
