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Victoria - The Seychelles have forfeited a 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier with Sierra Leone after Ebola fears forced the government on Thursday to cancel the game.
The Seychelles' health ministry told the Indian Ocean nation's football federation to postpone the game, scheduled to be played on Saturday in the capital Victoria.
Seychelles Sports Minister Vincent Meriton said the government took the decision to cancel the game amid fears of the spread of the deadly Ebola virus.
Fears that the outbreak of the virus in west Africa could spread have grown in recent days.
"This is a case of force majeure...it is not our decision to stop the match, "said Elvis Chetty, President of the Seychelles Football Federation (SFF).
"We can face sanctions...and we also have to deal with the financial implications," said Chetty.
The Seychelles are now out of the competition.
Chetty said some players from Sierra Leone were already on the aeroplane to the Seychelles when they were ordered to disembark.
More than 700 people have been killed since the first case was detected in February.
