Ebola crisis puts Newcastle on alert

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has revealed the club are making provisions for their African Nations Cup hopefuls amid the Ebola crisis on the continent.

Ivory Coast midfielder Cheick Tiote and Senegal striker Papiss Cisse were heading back from qualifiers for the finals tournament, which takes place in Morocco in January, to Tyneside yesterday.

However, with concerns currently being raised about the safety of players, officials and fans alike as the disease continues to claim lives in Africa and now further afield, the Magpies have moved in an attempt to protect both the players and their families.

Pardew said: “We would be naive not have concerns. We have a strategy for when they return and making sure they and their families are taken care of. They are essential to us and our doctor has looked into the problems that might arise and also protection for them, and to ensure we do our best to help them.”

Tiote was part of the Ivorian side which played a double-header against DR Congo, while Cisse’s Senegal faced Tunisia home and away.

Whether or not the finals go ahead as planned remains to be seen, but Newcastle will maintain a watching brief.

Pardew said: “That kind of decision is a big, big one and it’s something to be concerned about.”