The Week 1 fixtures for the 2022/23 DStv Premiership season have been confirmed with matches set to kick off in just 14 days! Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Safa cautious on the return of PSL fans to stadiums
Safa are yet to even ask government about a possible return of fans to stadiums for DStv Premiership matches.
The Week 1 fixtures for the 2022/23 DStv Premiership season have been confirmed with matches set to kick off in just 14 days! Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
South African Football Association (Safa) chief executive officer Tebogo Motlanthe has shut down any suggestion of fans returning to Premier Soccer League matches any time soon.
Safa are adopting a wait and see approach before putting into place structures for the return of fans to stadiums.
The football governing body are yet to even request the return of fans and would not set a timeline for an end to the behind-closed-doors era.
“You know what happened last time‚ we went to level one and had to go back to adjusted level three because most people were reckless‚” Motlanthe told Sowetan.
Fears of a third wave prevent Safa from rushing fans back
Safa are cautious due, in part, to the opinions of health experts who have warned of the possibility of a third wave of infections.
“This time let’s give the government a chance to observe what is happening with this level one because experts are saying that we may end up having a third wave.”
Motlanthe explained that Safa will observe the vaccination roll-out campaign which has already seen many health workers being vaccinated across the country in recent weeks.
Safa monitoring vaccine rollout and pandemic
“As an Association‚ we can’t be reckless and start saying because it is level one please bring supporters back,” he added.
“We will wait and observe and see what happens with the vaccination campaign.”
No sport in South Africa has been allowed to accommodate the return of fans since the first lockdown was instituted. Many sports federations have incurred massive losses as a result.
