Sports Ebola Fears Infiltrate African Sports as Liberia & S.Leone halts Soccer

 It started when the small Indian Ocean island of Seychelles refused entry to Sierra Leone's soccer squad, fearing that the deadly Ebola virus would arrive from West Africa along with the players.

The decision by Seychelles health authorities two weeks ago gave its team no choice but to forfeit the game against Sierra Leone and withdraw from qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations, the continent's main football competition.

"We cannot let down our guard," Seychelles health commissioner Dr. Jude Gedeon said after Sierra Leone's players were prevented from leaving Kenya for the flight to the Seychelles. Some had already boarded their plane before being informed they wouldn't be allowed to make the flight.

The Confederation of African Football was powerless to act.

Sierra Leone and Liberia, two of the four soccer-mad West African countries affected by the worst Ebola outbreak ever recorded, have now stopped all football in their countries. Health officials say there is a lethal risk in allowing people to gather in large groups.
http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/ebola-fears-infiltrate-african-sports-24957035