FIFA says monitoring Ebola, Club World Cup in Morocco goes ahead

Preparations for the Club World Cup in Morocco in December are continuing and there is currently no Ebola threat to cause it to be canceled or postponed, FIFA said Tuesday.

"Should the situation change we will be in touch with the participating clubs accordingly," FIFA said.

The world soccer body said it is in contact with Moroccan authorities and is "constantly updating its position" with regard to Ebola on the advice of the World Health Organization.

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

The Club World Cup, which will feature Champions League winner Real Madrid and South American champion San Lorenzo of Argentina, is scheduled for Dec. 10-20.

FIFA also said it agrees with the Confederation of African Football's decision to move games out of Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, but it didn't comment on Morocco's request for the African Cup of Nations in January and February to be postponed because of Ebola.

Morocco has asked organizer CAF if the tournament can be delayed, fearing fans traveling in numbers from West Africa for the 16-nation, three-week tournament.

CAF insists the African Cup must go ahead on the planned dates — Jan. 17-Feb. 8 — and will meet with Moroccan authorities early next month. Possible stand-in countries South Africa, Egypt and Sudan have all declined to host the tournament in Morocco's place.