Ajax kick up fuss as soccer spat continues

Clubs unhappy about Kaizer Chiefs’ proposal to use Cape Town Stadium

AJAX Cape Town released a statement yesterday to keep the fire burning on the continuing spat between the city’s football clubs and the City of Cape Town. At the root of the issue is Kaizer Chiefs’ proposal to use Cape Town Stadium for three of their home games this season.

Approval has not yet been given. The proposal is on the desk of mayor Patricia de Lille, after which it will be presented to the council for approval.

Cape clubs have made clear their unhappiness about the scenario since the news broke.

But last week the mayco member for Tourism, Events and Economic Development, Garreth Bloor, said the city had not approached Chiefs, and added that it had a responsibility to ratepayers to ensure the financial viability of the the stadium.

“For Ajax Cape Town to cry foul is surprising – since they do not pay a rental, do not pay for city costs, and do not share the risk proportionally for the use of the stadium.” Yesterday, Ajax hit back. “Councillor Bloor defended the city’s actions by taking a couple of low blows at Ajax Cape Town, who have in recent years partnered the city in a venture at Cape Town Stadium.

“The city has failed to consult any of the football bodies in the Western Cape or, for that matter, its only football tenant, Ajax Cape Town, since negotiations commenced with representatives of Kaizer Chiefs some time in May or June this year.

“The manner in which these negotiations were handled by representatives of the city clearly illustrates that the city was hoping to confirm the arrangement before it was announced to the public. The proposed three-year agreement with Kaizer Chiefs could have negative, long-term implications on football in our city.”

On Friday afternoon, representatives of the professional clubs in the Cape, as well as Safa Cape Town, met Bloor.

Ajax’s statement continues: “They (the clubs) unanimously opposed the (Chiefs) proposal (at the meeting), citing the lack of support that local football generally receives from the City of Cape Town.

“They also did not buy into the city’s idea that this was an exercise that would boost the stadium’s coffers and reduce their budget deficit substantially.

“Currently, the six professional clubs based in Cape Town are all privately owned and invest huge resources into their clubs. They generally do not receive any assistance from the city.

“In fact, all the clubs that use the local stadiums pay rental for the usage of these facilities. Between them they employ in excess of 250 people, and offer many a hopeful footballer the opportunity to become a professional.

“Councillor Bloor’s attack on Ajax was even more astonishing considering their support for the City regarding Cape Town Stadium. Ajax are the only user that has committed to using Cape Town Stadium by signing a lease until May 2017, even though using Athlone Stadium would be more financially suited.

“Ajax can confirm that using Cape Town Stadium will cost the club an additional R3.75m over the three-year period of the lease, compared to the (much lower) cost of playing at Athlone Stadium.”

THE CITY HAS FAILED TO CONSULT ANY OF THE FOOTBALL BODIES IN THE WESTERN CAPE, OR ITS ONLY FOOTBALL TENANT, AJAX CAPE TOWN