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Safa has reiterated that it will mainly be guided by instruction from the government with regards to all football activities under the federation’s ambit.
This after Fifa vice-president Victor Montagliani was widely quoted this week hinting that most international football might not be played until 2021 owing to travel restrictions because of the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic.
Montagliani has been heading a Fifa stakeholders committee which is formulating plans to resume football, which largely shut down last month.
The Canadian believes that the international calendar will largely be driven by decisions around domestic leagues, which need to resume before any international matches can be played. Travel considerations will also be a factor.
“We do not expect an abrupt end to the lockdown, rather a phase-out approach. Safa will therefore await further announcement leading to the April 30 [end of the lockdown].
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“We have taken note of Fifa’s international position, that international matches could possibly only resume in 2021. We will consult with Transport Minister [Fikile Mbalula] on the matter of international travel,” reads the statement from the Safa communications department.
Fifa already called off international matches that were due to be played last month and in June, including Bafana Bafana’s back-to-back 2021 Afcon qualifying fixtures against São Tomé and Príncipe, which was set for March 27 at home and away four days later.
Montagliani also hinted that the September, October and November Fifa international windows for national team matches could also be scrapped.
“International matches require international flights. A high number of our international players – for Bafana Bafana, the Under-23s and Banyana Banyana – are playing overseas.
“Safa’s national teams can therefore not be assembled unless international flights are reinstated,” Safa pointed out, adding that “domestic competitions can only be proceeded with on two conditions – that government declares that it is safe to do so and that domestic flights are reinstituted.
“These conditions depend on a declaration by the government on the lockdown and on normal operations by domestic airlines as well as other service providers to the football industry.”
Safa concluded that it would approach both the national government and Fifa for financial assistance during “this period of serious financial challenges”.
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