PSL fixtures in doubt as government responds to coronavirus scare

Upcoming PSL fixtures will at the very least be played behind closed doors, following the national state of disaster declared by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday. This is in the wake of the rapid spread of the coronavirus, with South Africa now sitting at 61 confirmed cases.

The ongoing league season was set to continue largely unaffected by the pandemic, with the most notable change being the suspension of pre and post-match handshakes.

Upcoming PSL fixtures in doubt in wake of coronavirus scare

While many sporting federations across the globe either suspended fixtures or barred spectators, the action in the local soccer league continued with the Nedbank Cup quarterfinals played in front of paying crowds.

More games are scheduled from Tuesday, and the clash between Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates at Loftus Versfeld was expected to draw a near-capacity crowd, until Ramaphosa announced a ban of public gatherings of over 100 people.

There is also another big game the following day which, like Tuesday’s fixture, has a massive bearing on the PSL title race.

Wednesday’s clash sees table-topping Kaizer Chiefs welcoming 2016/17 champions Bidvest Wits to the 90 000-seater FNB Stadium.

“Gatherings of more than 100 people will be prohibited,” Ramaphosa said in his address.

Cyril Ramaphosa

League to hold urgent meeting

In response to the latest development, the PSL has revealed that it will hold an emergency executive committee meeting on Monday morning, with the outcome set to be communicated at noon.

PSL to hold urgent EXCO and press conference on Monday

The Premier Soccer League, the largest event organiser in South Africa, in its response to the State President’s announcement that gatherings of more than 100 people be prohibited….

— Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) March 15, 2020

Also in doubt is whether the season will be able to finish, with less than two months remaining until its scheduled conclusion.

On Saturday, the South African Football Association (Safa) welcomed the cancellation of Afcon 2021 qualifiers instituted by the Confederation of African Football, but stated that the virus was yet to reach epidemic status in the country.

“The sad news is that the number of people who have been affected by the virus is still growing at this stage. However, the positive news is that the disease is not an epidemic in our country as yet. We have full confidence in our Health Authorities. We have seen critical patients getting better after coming into contact with the virus.”

South African Football Association

The number of confirmed cases in South Africa rose to 61, with 23 new infections adding to the figure on Sunday alone.

Among them was the first local transmission after all known infections were of people who had travelled abroad.

Globally, the pandemic is sitting at over 160 000 cases, with the death toll crossing the 6 000-mark.