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Safa provides PSL restart update

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Hlompho Kekana of Mamelodi Sundowns, Nathi Mthethwa, Itumeleng Khune of Kaizer Chiefs before a PSL clash between Downs and Chiefs
  • Post published:July 9, 2020

The South African Football Association (Safa) has confirmed it is in the process of putting together the return-to-play protocols after receiving the green light from government.

Teams across the PSL began to resume training at their respective clubs this week after complying with all the protocols laid down by government level 3 of the Covid-19 lockdown.

Despite the return to training, the league is still to confirm an official date for the resumption of the 2019-20 season, though Safa has now revealed the latest on their plans:

‘The South African Football Association (SAFA) has started to put all the processes into motion following the letter from the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Mr Nathi Mthethwa, explaining all procedures on the return to football and play.

‘The Association has thereby appointed Dr Thulani Ngwenya and Mr Mlungisi Ncame as Compliance Officers to oversee the entire process as prescribed by the correspondence from the Minister, who requested that SAFA oversees the whole process on return to training and play,’ the association said on its official website.

A part of the letter from the ministry reads:

‘The sports body (SAFA) must assume full responsibility for the safety and security of its members, staff and athletes in curbing the spread of COVID-19; and ensure that all its members comply with the provisions of these Directions, Regulations and any other applicable legislation; a sports body (SAFA) and its affiliate members are jointly and severally responsible for any claim for damages or negligence arising as a result of failure to take reasonable measures in curbing the spread of COVID-19.’

Safa further stated:

‘Dr Ngwenya and Mr Ncame as well as SAFA CEO Advocate Tebogo Motlanthe, will be meeting with the National Soccer League (NSL) to discuss the logistics and implementation of the compliance requirements as set out in the compliance protocol put together by the Joint Liaison Committee (JLC) and approved by the government.

‘It is this document that will guide the return to training and play processes.

‘SAFA has already forwarded the response and directive from the Minister and subsequent SAFA’s approval response to FIFA as required by football practices.

‘Meanwhile, SAFA will await the PSL meeting scheduled for Thursday, and for the Special Member’s input before rolling out the entire process,’ Safa concluded.