Struggle for power re-emerges
Safa, PSL clash over clubs’ return to training camps
A row is brewing between the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and the SA Football Association (Safa) over the premature return to training by PSL clubs.
Safa said in a statement yesterday it had met the delegation from the National Soccer League (NSL), the overarching body of the PSL, on Friday to “discuss matters around the return to training and return to play”.
But PSL clubs had already taken to the field to resume training before Friday’s meeting. A source who did not want to be named as they were close to both Safa and the PSL said that some top flight and lower division clubs have been accused of resuming training without the approval of Safa.
“The meeting on Friday, among other matters, discussed the return to training prematurely. What has come to light is that by this past Monday, the health and safety compliance protocols were not approved by Safa, but that has since been resolved at the meeting,” said the Sunday World source.
“After the announcement last month by the Minister of Sport [Nathi Mthethwa], allowing the return of contact sport to training, the clubs jumped on the bandwagon by training, some at their club venues, not at the designated camp. The problem is that was done without Safa’s knowledge.
“The mother body is expected to play a key role in ensuring compliance by the clubs.”
Cape Town City became the first PSL club to return to controlled training last week. It was followed by Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns, Supersport United and Orlando Pirates after meeting the Coronavirus health and safety requirements. Before resuming training, PSL and National First Division clubs, whose league is now known as the Gladafrica Championship, conducted first round of testing for players and essential staff as part of the requirements.
In its statement, Safa said it had jointly decided with the PSL to postpone Friday’s meeting to tomorrow, the same day
The mother body is expected to play a key role to ensure compliance
the PSL is due to address the media on the burning issue of the premature return to training by its clubs.
“The two decided to postpone the meeting to Monday [13 July 2020] at the request of the special member [the PSL]. The association delegation comprised the CEO and compliance officers, while NSL was represented by its acting CEO,” reads the statement from Safa.
“We had a very cooperative and cordial meeting and we mutually agreed to have a follow-up meeting on Monday to deliberate [on] issues with regards to return to training and play,” said Safa CEO Tebogo Motlanthe.
Meanwhile, PSL chairperson Irvin Khoza will hold an urgent media conference tomorrow, the PSL announced on Friday.
The PSL has proposed Gauteng as the venue for its camp for closed-door matches to complete the the season disrupted since March by the outbreak of the Coronavirus.
Khoza made the proposals to all the clubs during a virtual board of governors’ meeting on Thursday. It has been suggested that the weekend of July 17-19 will see the resumption of PSL matches.