The country had refused a deadline set by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to confirm the hosting of the continental championship due to take place from January 17 until February 8.

They had asked instead for the tournament to be moved to June or even January 2016.

The CAF refused this request, however, giving the nation a deadline of Saturday (November 9) to confirm it would host the three-week tournament.

"At its meeting on November 11, 2014 in Cairo, the Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has taken note of the response of the Minister of Youth and Sports of the Kingdom of Morocco in a letter dated November 8, 2014 requesting the postponement of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations in 2015," a CAF statement read.

"This response clearly indicates that the Royal Moroccan Football Federation reiterated its refusal to hold the competition on the dates indicated (January 17-February 8, 2015).

"Therefore, having firmly and unanimously notified on November 3 its decision to keep the competition on the dates indicated, the Executive Committee confirmed that the Orange Africa Cup of Nations 2015 will not take place in Morocco."

Issa Hayatou, CAF President, speaks to Fouzi Lekjaa (right), President of the Moroccan Football Federation, in early November to discuss the Morocco's request to postpone hosting the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations due to the Ebola epidemic ©Getty Images



The statement added: "Accordingly, and following the refusal of the Moroccan party, the Executive Committee has decided that the national team of Morocco is automatically disqualified and will not take part in the 30th edition of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations in 2015."

Morocco's refusal to host the tournament has come through fears that supporters from West Africa, where Ebola is most prevalent and has led to the death of more than 5,000 people, arriving in the country for the tournament could bring with them the deadly virus and put at risk their important tourist industry.

A new host was not disclosed by the CAF, who have said that the "Executive Committee took note of receipt by November 10, 2014 of some applications of national associations confirming their desire to host the 2015 competition on the dates agreed."

They added: "These applications are currently under review, and the Executive Committee will finalise the selection of the successful National Association shortly and confirm the place and date of the draw of the final tournament at the same time."

It is rumoured that Algeria, Angola, Egypt or Nigeria could be possible replacements as hosts of the tournament.

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