Ivory Coast defender Kolo Toure has asked fans at the Africa Cup of Nations to be patient with Ebola checks-ups that were delaying entry into stadiums.
The World Health Organisation's (WHO) check-ups are causing long queues and has also resulted in clashes between fans and police.
"Fans need to know they have to be checked. It's more important than the game," Liverpool defender Toure was quoted as saying by bbc.com.
"We have all to make sure this disease doesn't increase, because nothing is more important than people's lives."
Police used batons, electroshock weapons and cattle prods to stop the clashes after fans surged towards entrances in Ivory Coast's 1-1 draw with Guinea and Mali's 1-1 draw against Cameroon.
Troubles also flared up here after the home side's goalless draw with Burkina Faso.
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Toure added that it was important for people to think and react as the disease could easily pass from one person to another.
"It's very important that people just think, because you can get it in the stadium if just one guy has it," the 33-year-old added.