The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has confirmed that Morocco will not host the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations and has now been disqualified from the competition.
Speculation has been growing over the past few months over the likelihood of Morocco pulling out of hosting the tournament due to the outbreak of ebola in west Africa.
Morocco had requested that Afcon 2015 be postponed or cancelled altogether over fears of the spread of the disease, but Caf have dismissed the possibility, and so the nation has pulled out.
Caf have confirmed the news and revealed that, as a result of Morocco's unwillingness to host the tournament, they have now been disqualified from playing in it.
"The Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football has taken note of the response of the Minister of Youth and Sports of the Kingdom of Morocco in a letter dated 8 November 2014 requesting the postponement of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations in 2015," a statement read on the Caf official website.
"This response clearly indicates that the Royal Moroccan Football Federation reiterated its refusal to hold the competition on the dates indicated (January 17-February 8, 2015). Therefore, having firmly and unanimously notified on 3 November its decision to keep the competition on the dates indicated, the Executive Committee confirmed that the Orange Africa Cup of Nations 2015 will not take place in Morocco.
"The Executive Committee took note of receipt by 10 November, 2014 of some applications of national associations confirming their desire to host the 2015 competition on the dates agreed. These applications are currently under review, and the Executive Committee will finalise the selection of the successful National Association shortly and confirm the place and date of the draw of the final tournament at the same time.
"Following the refusal of the Moroccan party, the Executive Committee has decided that the national team of Morocco is automatically disqualified and will not take part in the 30th edition of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations in 2015."
