Safa Joburg Region urges LFAs to abide by Covid-19 regulations
ALEX – Safa Joburg Region has cautioned LFAs in its region not to flout the Safa Covid-19 rules.
The South African Football Association’s Safa Johannesburg Region has strongly warned its affiliated local football associations (LFA) to strictly abide by the Covid-19 lockdown regulations as issued by the mother body.
The warning, issued by Safa Joburg Region CEO Colin Jones, comes in the wake of reports that some teams within the LFAs in the region were flouting the regulations and engaging in clandestine football activity that had not been sanctioned by the mother body.
“It has come to our attention that some areas/clubs are engaging in football activities against the lockdown regulations and the wishes of Safa Johannesburg and the mother body, Safa,” Jones said.
“We would like to warn such clubs or LFAs to desist from the practice as this goes against the grain as articulated by the mother body. We expect all our affiliates to abide by the guidelines and directives issued by Safa in the safety of all our players, coaches, referees and the football community in the areas they are in.”Jones would not be drawn into ‘naming and shaming’ those individual clubs or LFAs engaged in the outlawed practice.
“They know themselves but the best we can do and say under the circumstances is to warn them in the hope they will appreciate the need to protect themselves and their players against the dreaded Covid-19.
“The only structure that has been given the green light to proceed with their leagues is PSL [Premier Soccer League] but with strict conditions that have been set for all games and clubs of the professional league.”
Jones added that Safa Joburg was in regular contact with Safa regarding the issues facing amateur football and once ‘we have a clear understanding in writing, members will be advised accordingly’.
He urged the LFAs not to allow any activities of football to take place within their areas and to advise the clubs, coaches and players to respect the directives issued regarding the lockdown.
“Where it is found that activities do take place in your areas, you have a responsibility to act and report any clubs, coaches or players which undermine the directives and deal with the perpetrators.”
