Nafsa wants 50 per cent soccer supporters at Premier Soccer League matches

The National Football Supporters’ Association (Nafsa) has urged the government to implement a 50 per cent attendance policy at all football matches played under the Premier Soccer League now that the country is on alert Level 1 of the Covid-19 regulations.

The call was made by the acting CEO of Nafsa Siya Loyilane who said they welcomed ‘with open hands’ the recent easing of restrictions and the gradual re-opening of the economy, adding that ‘it will assist in the much-needed revival of our economy’.

“We also welcome the easing of restrictions around gatherings, be they for cultural or religious purposes, but we are rather dismayed that the president did not see it fit to also ease restrictions around sports gatherings,” she said.

Loyilane cited the announcement on the relative liberalisation of attendance at religious gatherings and cultural indoor events which can now accommodate up to 50 per cent of their venue’s capacity.

“We therefore also call on the president to grant us 50 per cent occupancy at our stadiums so that we can also embark on this arduous road in our march towards the revival of that sector of the economy.

“What makes our proposal even more palatable is that those indoor events that have been granted the 50 per cent occupancy have a much higher risk of transmission of the Covid-19 virus than an open arena such as a stadium.”

She also noted that the stadium operators had perfected the process of managing access and egress at these venues, arguing that a 50 per cent capacity will still be greater social distancing than at any other indoor arena or concert venue.

Loyilane added that the wearing of masks can still be enforced in the same manner as other criteria contained under the Safety and Security at Sports and Recreational Events Act and ‘we, therefore, call for an urgent rethink on this approach that government has taken and then grant us 50 per cent as well.

“Football is our bread and butter and thousands make a living out of it. We are pleading to be heard as delaying the return of football supporters to the stadiums further exacerbates the plight of the many poor families whose income and livelihoods have been severely impacted upon during the Covid-19 crisis.

“We ask that consideration be also given to football, the country’s most popular sport and not leave the sport out there in the cold.”

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