THE BIG RETURN GAUTENG GETS THE PSL ‘BIO BUBBLE

BY HAPPY MASANGO

After a four-month long suspension, the Premier Soccer League is scheduled to return to action in a bio-bubble environment on 01 August 2020.

Gauteng has been confirmed as the bio-bubble host by Premier Soccer League chairman Dr. Irvin Khoza. “When we submitted our applications to the government the board of governors’ resolution was that we’re going to play all the games in Gauteng and North West. But we did receive a very good pitch from KwaZuluNatal, which was considered by the task team. Unfortunately, because the application had already been submitted, the venues were to be Gauteng and North West. As we speak now, the PSL has resorted to stick to Gauteng only because of the advantage that it gives.”

THE BIG RETURN

Gauteng will now likely play host to all 32 PSL clubs, consisting of the 16 top-flight Absa Premiership teams and 16 GladAfrica Championship teams. Players will not be allowed to exit the biobubble environment after entering it and all players/staff members entering the environment will be

forced to undergo a COVID-19 test 48 hours before their entrance.

Training venues: Marks Park, Wanderers, St Stithians, Fourways High, Johannesburg Stadium, Ruimsig Stadium, Auckland Park Bunting (UJ), Chris Hani Stadium (UJ), Loftus Versveld, the University of Pretoria, Pilditch Stadium, TUT Stadium, Germiston Stadium and Vosloorus Stadium.

Matchday Stadiums: FNB Stadium, Orlando Stadium, Dobsonville Stadium, Rand

Stadium, Makhulong Stadium, Ellis Park, Bidvest Stadium, Loftus Versveld, Lucas Moripe Stadium, University of Pretoria and Tsakane Stadium.

Player safety: “I’ve indicated that football, because of its nature, is seen as playing and not as a business. All of you media at home or even at work, you leave your home to go to work and there is risk of infection that goes with that. In some instances you go to shopping centres, and you come back home where there is no social distancing or maskwearing. Imagine the risk that goes with it.” Khoza added.

“The issue of the epicentre and lockdown was emphasising the minimising of contact within crowds and gatherings. What we have provided as a solution is to play in a medically safe environment that will assist in avoiding the spread of the virus. Whoever goes into the bubble must be tested first, and if you are not negative then you can’t go into the bubble.

“All the companies that have resumed work, give me one that has done testing before they resume work – any company? Your company itself never tested you, but you keep on going to work, in and out. Now for us, it was good that it happened this way, because some clubs

THE PSL HAS RESORTED TO STICK TO GAUTENG ONLY BECAUSE OF THE ADVANTAGE THAT IT GIVES.

have discovered that there were players that were infected, and we wouldn’t have known.

“So, by using this bubble, which is in fact now being used as a model by other sporting codes, it is the best way to manage the spread. What we have produced is not 100 percent perfect but it mitigates the risk as compared to other companies, for whom it would be a different story if they were subjected to the same kind of pre-conditions.”

August return: The coronavirus lockdown is on alert Level 3 in South Africa following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement competitive football will not return before August. This, despite the go-ahead from Sports Minister Nathi Mthethwa that teams can return to training, and his letter to the PSL on June 23 giving them the green light to resume the season under stringent measures.

A delay has been caused due to the unavailability of match-officials who fall under the South African Football Associations’ jurisdiction. SAFA have confirmed that match officials will be available from the 1st of August to complete the remainder of the season in six weeks.

Our footballing teams and fans await with anticipation! Ù

THE VOICE OF SOUTH AFRICAN FOOTBALL!

SOCCERZELA

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