Next year’s Africa Cup of Nations is in doubt after the proposed host country Morocco pulled out of the tournament due to fears regarding the Ebola outbreak on the continent.

Last week, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) received a letter from the Moroccan government asking for the tournament to be called off and had agreed to discuss the plans at the next executive meeting on November 2.

The CAF then released a statement acknowledging the request from the host country, but insisted their would be “no changes to its calendar of scheduled competitions”.

“We have taken into account the recommendation of the World Health Organization and various medical experts. It should be noted that since the first edition in 1957 no Africa Cup of Nations has ever been postponed or deferred,” a statement from the CAF read.

“The request of the Moroccans will be discussed at the next meeting of the CAF executive committee in Rabat on November 2nd.”

But today, reports emanating from Morocco have stated that the host country has withdrawn from the biennial 16-team tournament.

The African website supersport.com has quoted a source from the country’s Ministry of Sport who claimed that Morocco has officially pulled out of the competition in order to “preserve the safety of our citizens.”

“Since the CAF rejected all our requests and suggestions then we are forced to withdraw from hosting Afcon 2015 with immediate effect to preserve the safety of our citizens and for that we are prepared to take any consequences that comes with our actions,” the source said.

Morocco’s withdrawal is likely to lead to sanctions from the governing body, with potential punishments including the suspension of their national team and clubs.

Early suggestions are 2013 hosts South Africa will be tipped to take over hosting duties after reports that the country’s Football Association were already in negotiations with the CAF. Press reports in Africa also claim that Ghana is interested in hosting, as well as Sudan and Egypt.