South Africa – Three months on, the National Soccer League (NSL) is none the wiser as to when will professional football return to the sport fields.
Reports circulated recently about the eminent resumption of football in a central location to see off the remainder of the its Premier Soccer (PSL) 2019/2020 season. However, the rising rate of coronavirus seems to have set those arrangements back. Hence the lingering uncertainty.
On Monday, PSL Chairman Irvin Khoza said during a media briefing that the decision for the starting and ending dates for the leagues lays with SAFA (South African Football Association).
At this stage, PSL has dispatched its Covid-19 Compliance Officer to meet with SAFA officials to finalize the new plans for the restart of the league, Khoza stated.
Part of the new arrangements are: to complete the PSL competitions within a 6-week period and coronavirus testing. In this regard, all football participants and officials are expected to through two Covid-19 tests before teams enter what is called a “bubble” in Gauteng.
This [the bubble arrangement] involves the 32 clubs from the Absa Premiership and GladAfrica Championship Leagues. According to PSL Chairman, the league should be wrapped up by end of August. That means it was supposed to start in a week or so.
One of the tests will be taken 48 hours prior to going into the bubble. Dr. Khoza held back finer details of the PSL operational plans owing to final ramped stamp by authorities.
FIFA (Federation of International Football Association) has also increased the number of substitions that can be made by a club from the usual three (3) to five (5) players per game. In cases where clubs lose some players due to contracts or other unforseen circumstances , Dr Khoza said they will e allowed to tap into their MDC or reserve league structures.
As a standard procedure, adjusted fixtures for the resumption of football have been prepared by NSL and sent to SAFA for approval, he added.
SAFA, the custodian of football in the country, is expected to submit the PSL’s Covid-19 operationslal plans to the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa.
The Chairman confirmed that Gauteng and North West were put forth to host the outstanding games. Ultimately, KZN submitted an attractive option but Gauteng was given the greenlight because of its plentiful alternative capacity amenities.
Interestingly, Gauteng got the nod notwithstanding it being the epicenter of Covid-19 in South Africa at the moment.
Dr. Khoza recommended government’s stipulation for “PSL Covid-19 Operationslal Plan”. Further, he reiterated the support for lockdown adjustments invoked by the upward resurgence of coronavirus cases and escalating number of deaths in the country.