CAF rejects Nations date change, warns Morocco

CAIRO (Reuters) - Morocco have until the end of the week to confirm whether they will go ahead with hosting next year's African Nations Cup after the Confederation of African Football said on Monday the date would not be changed.

CAF said it was sticking to the Jan. 17-Feb. 8 plan for the 16-team tournament despite Morocco seeking a postponement because of fears over the Ebola virus.

Morocco wants the tournament moved to June or even January 2016, their football association said on Monday before a meeting between CAF president Issa Hayatou and the Moroccan government in Rabat.

However, CAF have stuck to their position having previously told Morocco they would not budge on the dates.

They have handed Morocco an ultimatum, giving the north African country until Saturday to make clear its position.

Morocco are concerned that hosting the tournament would risk the spread of the deadly fever which has claimed almost 5,000 lives in west Africa.

"The meeting of the CAF executive committee in Algiers on Sunday considered the request from the Ministry of Youth and Sports in Morocco for a postponement and was unanimous on keeping the competition on the dates scheduled," said CAF in a statement released on Monday.

"CAF have asked the Royal Moroccan Football Federation to clarify the position of Morocco by no later than November 8.

"Time given to Morocco applies to other associations wishing to organise the Nations Cup on the dates agreed as long as hosting requirements are met," said CAF, suggesting it might have organised an alternative.

It has already asked seven countries if they would be willing to step in as emergency hosts with little time to prepare for the three-week event, but met with a lukewarm response from Egypt and Ghana and a no from South Africa and Tunisia.

CAF's statement added that the next executive committee of African football's governing body on Nov. 11 in Cairo would "take the necessary decisions on the 2015 Nations Cup".

(Reporting by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Martyn Herman)