The news, announced by Sports Minister Alain Lobognon, comes in the midst of an Ebola epidemic that has already killed over 1,000 people in the four countries of Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Guinea and Liberia, the latter two of which share borders with the Ivory Coast.

According to Francs Jeux, the Minister revealed the decision is to enforce wider measures adopted by the Government as part of a prevention against the virus.

All air and land borders with the countries affected have already been closed. 

Ivory Coast's national men's football team, who suffered a disappointing exit in the group stage at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil earlier this summer, are scheduled to play a home African Cup of Nations qualifying match against Sierra Leone in Abidjan on September 4.

At this stage it appears very unlikely it will go ahead.

Ivory Coast football team will be affected by the suspension ©Getty Images



This comes after Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Liberia were all unable to take part in the Summer Youth Olympic Games here as a result of the epidemic, although two Guinean athletes have competed. 

But two other Guineans, a judoka and swimmer, were banned from competing on the grounds that the combat and water-based nature of their sports would boost the risk of the virus being transferred.

With no cases yet being officially recorded in the country, there was no question Ivory Coast - whose National Olympic Committee President, Lassana Palenfo, is also the head of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa - would be affected by this, and they have four athletes participating here.

Judoka Fatim Fofana reached the repechage quarter-final in the under 63 kilogram judo competition and taekwondo player Kipre Christ Emmanuel Logbo exited at the last 16 stage in boy's under 48kg event. 

Wrestler Amy Youin and 100m sprinter Maboundou Kone are also scheduled to compete later in the Games.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
August 2014: Nigerian official criticises "unusual and demoralising" approach to Ebola virus
August 2014: Nigeria withdrawal from Nanjing 2014 because of Ebola crisis confirmed by IOC President
August 2014: Liberia withdraw and three athletes barred from competing as Nanjing 2014 Ebola fear rises
August 2014: Exclusive: Safety of competitors at Nanjing 2014 most important thing claims IOC after Ebola withdrawals
August 2014: Ebola crisis forces Nigeria and Sierra Leone out of Nanjing 2014