Football
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Rayo Vallecano recall Lass Bangoura from Guinea duty due to Ebola fears

Rayo Vallecano attacker Lass Bangoura has returned to his club due to fears he might catch the Ebola virus while on international duty with Guinea.

Concerns over the issue have multiplied in Madrid this week, with a nurse reportedly becoming the first person to be diagnosed with the virus on European soil, and over 50 people now being monitored for signs they could also have been infected.

Many more people have contracted the deadly virus in a number of West African countries, with Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia the three most affected, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has moved Guinea's home African Nations Cup qualifiers to Morocco, where Lass, 22, joined up with his national squad earlier this week ahead of Saturday's "home" fixture against Ghana.

However, Rayo were concerned about their player coming into contact with national team officials and medical staff based in Guinea who are currently in Morocco with the team.

On his return to Madrid on Wednesday, the Conakry-born player told El Larguero that the issue had not been a concern among the Guinea squad, which had been focusing on Saturday's important qualifier.

"The people there are not afraid, the Ebola [outbreak] is in the area close to the border. In the capital [Conakry] it is different," Lass said. "In Morocco I was there with my teammates. We were not talking about Ebola, just about football and the game against Ghana. I was not concerned about the people coming from Guinea, I was just there with the group. If you have a fever, or something else, you do not come with the national team."

Lass, who moved to Spain and joined Rayo's youth system as a teenager, said he had initially wanted to stay in Morocco and play the game on Saturday.

"My agent called me to tell me something was happening here [in Madrid] with Ebola," he said. "I spoke with national team [management] who wanted me to stay for the game. I was told my teammates [at Rayo] were worried. I came back as I did not want problems with Rayo, and so my teammates would trust in me."

Lass added he was concerned that leaving the camp would be seen negatively by press and fans in his home country.

"I have received many calls," he said. "I do not know if [the people there] have understood why I left my national team to go back with my club. I am a bit worried for my family [in Guinea], because I might be attacked for this. I must talk with them to see what is happening."

There have also been concerns raised over other La Liga-based players due to feature in similar situations this weekend.

Sevilla midfielder Stephane Mbia, Barcelona B goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa and Osasuna midfielder Raoul Loe are with Cameroon for the double-header against Sierra Leone. CAF has ordered both those games to be played in Cameroonian capital Yaounde due to the Ebola issue.

Osasuna winger Cedrick is in the Congo DR squad for their back-to-back games against Ivory Coast, with the first meeting taking place on Saturday in Congo's capital of Kinshasa.

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