Swallows FC coach Dylan Kerr believes the absence of fans from stadiums is detracting from the quality of football in the PSL.
Fans have not been allowed in stadiums for over two years since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
South Africa remains one of the only countries to still have a ban on spectator attendance while most countries have already allowed fans back – some even at full capacity.
On Thursday a group of supporters protested outside the government offices in Pretoria and Birds boss Kerr has echoed their call, saying the players are suffering due to empty stadiums.
Why is the leadership of PSL quiet when politicians meet in stadiums yet soccer clubs are not allowed to meet at stadiums?
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) January 18, 2022
We call on the leadership of the PSL to stop being scared and to challenge this government. They must not seek to be liked. #EFFSPortsArtsAndCulturePicket pic.twitter.com/sl3F8z6wnI
“At the end of the day the PSL and DSTV have provided service for fans to watch but at the end of the day, as a coach you guys would agree, football is not football without fans,” Kerr told the media in Durban.
“We can see in Europe and African Cup of Nations, there’s fans there, yes we gotta listen to the guidelines and listen to the President but I think we’ve passed the worst stages and it’s time fans come back to the stadium.
“Because players they miss it, they miss their motivaters, they are the one that playing and without that support. It’s very difficult to play and hence they don’t perform well and I hope Minister of Sport and Government sees that, can see what other countries are doing.”
It’s not against Chair Of Chairs. It’s against Government. PSL is implementing government regulations. 2000 is not enough. It will cost us more money to open for 2000 supporters. We need a bigger percentage
— David Mogashoa (@DavidMVM) January 16, 2022
