Gauteng likely venue to host matches
PSL suspended matches on March 16 due to the outbreak of Covid-19
The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has proposed Gauteng as the venue for a “bio-bubble” camp for closed-door matches to complete the 2019/2020 Absa Premiership season‚ and next weekend as the date for resumption of the league.
The PSL suspended matches more than 100 days ago‚ on March 16, due to the outbreak of Covid-19‚ and league chair Irvin Khoza made these suggestions to all the clubs during a virtual board of governors meeting on Thursday.
The proposed venue for the tournament being discussed‚ with all 16 Premiership teams based in a single-city biologically safe environment‚ is Gauteng‚ with kickoff on July 19.
The priority is to complete PSL at all costs but there is a proposal that the GladAfrica Championship end where the log standings stand at present with leaders Ajax Cape Town promoted.
This will mean no relegation from the National First Division, with second-placed Moroka Swallows and third-placed Uthongathi FC qualifying to go into the promotion and relegation playoffs with the team who finish second from the bottom in the PSL.
These issues are subject to approval by the government and the SA Football Association (Safa) who must provide referees.
Sport minister Nathi Mthethwa has specified that Safa must play an overarching role in ensuring compliance with health and safety protocols.
Most teams returned to training this week or late last week as each was approved on an individual basis by the PSL as compliant with the government-approved league directive on measures such as sanitisation and Covid-19 testing.
A July 19 kickoff for the closed-door return to football in a secure zone would mean most teams would have just two weeks’ training ahead of the matches.
This is likely to raise concerns of injuries to players‚ who were training largely housebound‚ especially during the earlier‚ more stringent stages days of the national lockdown.
Fifa apparently does not have an August 31 deadline to the 2019/2020 season‚ so long as the global body is informed of an extension beyond that.
PSL clubs‚ however‚ are believed to have only negotiated contract extensions to the end of August for players whose terms were ending in June.
Kaizer Chiefs lead the Premiership by four points‚ though having played a game more‚ from second-placed defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
The board of governors consists of the 32 Premiership and GladAfrica clubs.