PSL return hinging on government’s response

South African Football Association (Safa) boss Danny Jordan and Premier Soccer League (PSL) chairperson Irvin Khoza are hard at work to make the long speculation about the return of football a reality.

This follows the May 30 announcement made by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, giving non-contact sport the green light as well as training of contact sport, including soccer and rugby. Furthermore, Safa’s Joint Liaison Committee met on June 1 to present a plan which both Jordan and Khoza will be presenting to Mthethwa and Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula.

Return dates of the resumption of competitive matches can only be released once the government approves the plan. Should the government give the green light to the return of football, fans can expect a rather quick return with soccer’s global governing body Fifa giving all football associations a July 31 deadline to complete their respective leagues.

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“The Safa Joint Liaison Committee met on June 1 at Safa House and agreed that both the Safa president, Dr Danny Jordaan and NSL chairperson Dr Irvin Khoza must report back to the Minister of Sport on the protocols for the return to play,” read a statement on Monday.

“The two have also been mandated to meet and brief the Ministers of Health and Transport on what needs to be done in the case of football returning to play.”Monday’s meeting adopted the report and protocol from the task team that says football can only resume under specific conditions as prescribed by the protocol. The meeting resolved that Safa will write to the minister, asking permission on training procedures.

“The two, Dr Jordaan and Dr Khoza, will also discuss the possible starting dates for the resumption of football matches. In his address on Saturday, Minister Nathi Mthethwa spelt out the way forward for contact and non-contact sport. He gave training the green light but also underscored the fact that playing was impossible on alert level three, according to firm government specifications.

“Minister Mthethwa participated briefly in the meeting on Monday and emphasised the need to balance the health of football stakeholders and that the economic impact Covid-19 has had on the game. With eight games remaining, Kaizer Chiefs lead the PSL standings with 48 points from 22 outings – four points ahead of defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns, who have a game in hand.

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