A Man Dresses For Halloween Wearing Personal Protective Equipment
A man wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) as a Halloween costume, stands in front of the building where Dr. Craig Spencer lives in New York October 25, 2014. Spencer, 33, who treated Ebola patients in West Africa, was moved with elaborate precautions from his Harlem apartment to Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan with a fever and tested positive for Ebola on Thursday, sparking concern about the spread of the disease in the country's most populous city. Reuters/Eduardo Munoz

World football's governing body Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) issued a statement backing the African counterparts CAF over their means to control the spread of the Ebola virus. FIFA is in regular contact with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to control the spread of the virus at sporting events.

"FIFA supports the decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to organise the international matches of the countries currently experiencing EVD intense transmission (Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea) on neutral ground," said the statement. FIFA also claimed that it recommended clubs to carry out medical check-ups on players returning from a game in a high-risk country.

As planned, the Club World Cup will push through in Morocco in December, FIFA confirmed. According to the WHO, there are no cases of Ebola from Morocco so far and FIFA is monitoring the situation closely with the Moroccan authorities to provide updates in accordance with the WHO technical guidance.

Moreover, FIFA works closely with the United Nations also to stop the Ebola epidemic in West Africa. After the WHO identified the FIFA football pitch as the most suitable location in terms of safety and effectiveness, the Monrovia's Antoinette Tubman Stadium, which was donated by FIFA to the Liberia Football Association will be utilised as site for two urgently needed large-scale treatment units. FIFA immediately expressed its support for the use of the treatment units. FIFA proposed to cover the costs of any damages on the recently installed pitch as well.

According to the FIFA president, Sepp Blatter the continuous and fundamental collaboration of FIFA and the United Nations can use the power of football to combat the epidemic. Special Adviser to the Secretary-General of the United Nations on Sport for Development and Peace, Wilfried Lemke further added that the Ebola outbreak had tremendous impact on the sport community and it is important for the UN and the world of sport to work together to halt the spread of the virus. He further recognised the commitment of FIFA to support their efforts and health-related measures.

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