European football clubs concerned about Ebola virus

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas

Paris, Oct 16 French football club Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has expressed Ebola concerns about his side's two Cameroonian players who turned out for their national team in the 2015 Africa Cup qualifiers.

Striker Clinton Njie and left back Henri Bedimo recently played for Cameroon against Sierra Leone last Saturday and the return leg Wednesday in the Ebola-affected Yaounde, Cameroon, reports Xinhua.

"We discussed on this topic at Lyon. This for sure is a safety issue concerned us. I think the UCPF (union of French clubs) and ECA (European Club Association) should both stand up to defend the interests of clubs and players on this subject," said Aulas.

Aulas also thinks that Ebola could soon have a direct impact on European football as Lyon is not the sole club facing the shadow of the widespread virus as Rayo Vallecano and Celta Vigo of La Liga both ordered their players to turn down callings from their African national teams.

AC Milan's Ghanaian international Michael Essien denied rumours circulating him on social networks. "All those rumours about me catching Ebola are not true. I'm fine," said the former Chelsea midfielder.