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As more of the world’s leading football leagues suspend their seasons due to growing concerns about the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus, the PSL has decided to continue playing – at least for now.
Leagues in Europe – especially in Italy, Spain and the UK – have taken the lead and cancelled all their games following confirmed cases of the virus at some clubs.
The PSL on Friday sent a letter to local clubs notifying them that “there has been no change to the league’s position, and all matches and fixtures are continuing”.
However, the letter also said the authorities would continue to monitor the situation.
“Please be assured that the league is giving careful attention to developments in this very worrying time. If there is a change, all member clubs will be informed immediately,” read the letter.
City Press has learnt that the league’s management had been in touch with the relevant government authorities, and would take the lead on the developments as and when they occurred. Acting PSL chief executive Mato Madlala yesterday confirmed that the games would continue as nothing had changed.
“If anything changes, we will inform our members and the public. But, as of now, everything remains as is. We are monitoring the situation and are in touch with the relevant government departments. But there is no need to panic,” said Madlala.
The league was hosting the Nedbank Cup quarterfinals fixtures this weekend.
In Friday’s letter, the league referred to the statement issued earlier this month about precautionary measures clubs, players and officials need to be aware of – including not shaking hands on the pitch – to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.
If the status quo remains, next week’s full round of fixtures will go ahead as planned. The highlight of the fixtures will be the much-anticipated league clash between Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, which will most likely see fans fill up Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Tuesday night.
On Saturday, Safa issued a statement welcoming the continental body CAF’s decision to postpone all the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
On Friday, CAF postponed all the Afcon qualifiers, the Fifa Women’s Under-20 World Cup qualifiers and this year’s African Women Cup of Nations qualifiers due to the virus outbreak. Bafana Bafana were due to play Sao Tome and Principe later this month, but the games have been cancelled.
Also on Friday, the English Premier League announced a three-week shutdown following a spate of confirmed infections in the league, including that of Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi. Several players are in isolation. La Liga in Spain and Serie A in Italy have already been suspended.
Uefa postponed all continental tournaments this week, including next week’s Champions League and Europa League fixtures.
It’s not only football that has been affected – for the first time since 1945, the Masters will not take place next month after Augusta National postponed golf’s first major of the year on Friday. The NBA, Formula 1 and the Boston Marathon have also all been put on hold.
