Sierra Leone cancels all soccer matches because of Ebola

Sierra Leone has called off all soccer matches due to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, according to the Associated Press.

The decision to cancel matches comes less than a week after president Ernest Bai Koroma declared a public health emergency in the country.

A spokesman told the AP that the Sierra Leone Football Association will request permission to play upcoming qualifying matches for the African Cup of Nations in neutral countries.

The SLFA will also seek health certificates to allow players based in the country to travel.

Liberia, another country hit hard by Ebola, has also suspended football matches.

The World Health Organization said Monday that the death toll for the deadly disease, which has no known vaccine, had risen to 887.

- Chris Johnson