South African sports minister Nathi Mthethwa has stated that it would be feasible to continue the Absa Premiership season behind closed doors.
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The week’s PSL fixtures were suspended in the wake of president Cyril Ramaphosa’s declaration that the country is in a state of disaster due to the coronavirus pandemic.
However, Mthethwa believes it would be possible to keep the football going if the proper precautions are taken to keep players, coaching staff, and match officials safe.
“As we speak, they can have their match tomorrow with no spectators,” he said, as quoted by Times Live.
“Even if we are going to reach a point where there may be no matches, it will be gradually phased in. But there is an obligation on them to follow to the letter the health and hygiene protocols as outlined by the department of health.
“They have said that players will wash their hands… using water and soap. They have said on their own that when the match starts, there will be no handshakes as per tradition. They also know that you will need sanitisers.
“What we are emphasising here is when players are celebrating, they must do it individually. It is a change of behaviour because if we don’t do that we will be spreading the pandemic.
“We need the [PSL] chairman [Irvin Khoza] and others in the leadership positions in sport to raise their voice against this pandemic… They will continue with their matches without spectators and finish the season.
“The most important thing for us is that when they do that, they will be spreading the message to fight against this pandemic – so that there is no confusion.”
