Morocco continue Club World Cup planning, but AFCON still in limbo

Preparations for the Club World Cup in Morocco in December are continuing "as planned" even though the country has asked to be replaced as host for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) the following month due to fears over the spread of the Ebola epidemic. 

Morocco has no reported cases of the deadly virus that has killed nearly 5,000 people in West Africa, almost all in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.

Unlike the African Nations Cup, this year's eight-team Club World Cup features only two African sides. The tournament brings together the champions of each of FIFA's six confederations - in Europe's case Real Madrid - plus the national league champion from the host country.

Matches will be played in Rabat and Marrakesh and FIFA is comfortable that Ebola poses no threat as things stand now. "Should the situation change we will be in touch with the participating clubs accordingly," FIFA said in a statement.

FIFA said it is in contact with Moroccan authorities and is "constantly updating its position" on the advice of the World Health Organization.

Morocco is at loggerheads with the Confederation of African Football over delaying or postponing the Continent's blue riband event, fearing fans might travel from West Africa for the 16-nation, three-week tournament.

CAF insists it must go ahead on the planned dates - January 17 to February 8 - and will meet with Moroccan authorities early next month to try and forge an agreement. South Africa, originally mooted as a possible replacement, say they can't step in while Sudan and Egypt, other countries mentioned as potential stand-ins, are apparently lukewarm over the idea of taking over.