Nathi wants further PSL assurances

The Premier Soccer League (PSL) will need to provide further assurances to sport, arts and culture minister Nathi Mthethwa before training can resume and also to satisfy the health department that players will not be at risk from the coronavirus.

The PSL has for the past week been waiting for Mthethwa to give it the green light for teams to return to training.

The football body submitted its plans a fortnight ago on the Covid-19 compliances it will put in place for teams to follow.

In an e-mailed response to the Sowetan, Mthethwa detailed what was delaying the approval for the PSL to commence.

“The department is assessing the plans submitted by sport federations after the gazetting of the directives on June 11 2020,” Mthethwa said.

“Approval is not automatic. It depends on a number of factors such as completeness of the plans, the adequacy of supporting information and so on.

“As soon as the minister had already applied his mind as to whether the sports bodies have complied with all requirements as proclaimed in the directions and after consultation with the minister of health, the minister will then give a go-ahead for the PSL to train after sports bodies have been informed in writing by the minister.”

The PSL had been hoping to finish the season by July 31 but it now seems unlikely.

Mthethwa said his department was not in a position to advise the PSL on how to deal with the July 31 deadline.

“The issue of possibility as to whether the leagues could be finished in this current season or not depends on the PSL ... the leagues can make their own decision.

“The possibility of finishing is dependent on what happens with the Covid-19 pandemic and guided by government’s overall risk-adjusted strategy.

“Of uppermost importance is to protect the lives of the citizens, players and all those involved in football and sport in general. ”—