Fears of Algeria winning 2015 AFCON forced Morocco to withdraw from hosting - Claude LeRoy

Published on: 08 December 2014
Fears of Algeria winning 2015 AFCON forced Morocco to withdraw from hosting - Claude LeRoy
Algeria are one of the favourites for the AFCON

French coach Claude Leroy has sparked a huge controversy by claiming that Morocco's fears of watching in-form arch-rivals Algeria winning the title the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations on their soil forced them to withdraw from hosting the competition.

Leroy, who is currently the most experienced foreign coach in Africa, says Morocco's claims that fears of the Ebola virus spreading in their is not true.

The Congo coach says with the Atlas Lions currently in a bad shape Morocco fears that their hosting would be shambolic which would be compounded by Algeria winning the title.

Morocco withdrew from hosting the tournament claiming its fears that the Ebola outbreak elsewhere on the continent could affect their country.

However, Leroy says Morocco fears the humiliation of watching Algeria win the title in their country as it was ready with the facilities to host the tournament.

"Morocco says it is because of the Ebola virus (that it withdrew from AFCON), but in my opinion this is just an excuse and it does not convince me too," Leroy said.

"Morocco was ready to host the tournament structurally but not sportingly because its national team is not strong now.

"Personally, I think this is a much geopolitical decision. They are afraid that Algeria will triumph on their land."

Equatorial Guinea have been named as replacements for Morocco as the tournament starts next month.

Caf expelled Morocco, who would have qualified as hosts, from the finals and more sanctions are expected.

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