Air of desperation amid ongoing disruptions to PSL and other sports calendars. By Craig Ray
Locally, sports minister Nathi Mthethwa confirmed that Premier Soccer League fixtures could go ahead in the coming weeks, but would have to be played behind closed doors.
Mthethwa met major South African sporting stakeholders in Pretoria on Tuesday and gave football the green light as long as it adhered to the government’s stringent coronavirus protocols outlined in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s declaration of a State of National Disaster last Sunday. One of the key proclamations is that gatherings of more than 100 people are outlawed.
The problem, which the minister did not address, is how can the PSL stop thousands of fans descending on a stadium to attempt to watch a match. Even if fans are not allowed into the stadium , the gathering would break at least one of the conditions of the State of Emergency. Football, rugby and cricket, as well as some less high profile sports, are largely funded by SuperSport’s huge annual broadcast rights fees. With the suspension of all leagues and competitions in the case of cricket and rugby, and the likely suspension of the PSL in the near future, technically sports are in breach of their contracts with SuperSport.
That went down like a skydiver without a parachute with the minister, who made it clear that the government was in charge of ultimate decisions around the mass gatherings of people. Later, the CMA appeared to dig its heels in when race director Rowyn James told Netwerk 24: “The race only takes place three months from now, and the situation can change. Therefore, it is still too early to cancel or postpone the race.
Roland Garros was set for 24 May-7 June and has now been pencilled in to start on 20 September, just a week after the US Open ends. Traditionally the French Open is the season’s second Grand Slam and the US Open the fourth. “This is madness: major announcement by Roland Garros changing the dates to one week after the US Open. No communication with the players or the ATP. We have ZERO say in this sport. It’s time.”
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