By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Premier Soccer League’s is yet to issue an official statement after Cape Town City showed up at FNB Stadium,only to find themselves locked out, leaving about 15 minutes after the scheduled 6pm kick off for their DStv Premiership clash with Kaizer Chiefs.
The PSL Executive Committee met on Friday but as of Sunday, had not made any official statement.
PSL acting CEO Mato Madlala confirmed Chiefs’ request to the Premier Soccer League (PSL) to postpone four league matches in December will be discussed at an executive committee meeting on Friday.
“The exco is meeting at 11am, so it’s going to be tabled,” Madlala said on Friday morning.
“In fact there was an exco meeting taking place in any case for other matters and the Chiefs issue has been added to the agenda.”
There is a precedent, however, where Cape Umoya United did not turn up for a Glad Africa Championship match against Cape Town Spurs on January 3, after an outbreak of Covid. The PSL Exco granted Spurs a 3-0 win in that match on the grounds that according to a previous decision from the league, Covid-19 cannot be used as an excuse for the postponement of a game
Cape Town City announced on Saturday that they had turned up at FNB Stadium and observed the PSL’s rules if an opponent does not show up.
Early on Wednesday morning, Chiefs said 31 people at the club tested positive for Covid-19, resulting in the closure of the Kaizer Chiefs Village in Naturena this week. Amakhosi said they consequently do not have the numbers to field a team, and they regard this as a “force majeure” situation.
Force majeure as a legal concept refers to a higher force and covers extraordinary circumstances, which are not under human control and cannot be avoided. Examples of such extraordinary events include wars, riots, natural disasters, etc.The Covid-19 situation can be such a force.
The other matches Chiefs have asked to be postponed are against Golden Arrows (December 8), Sekhukhune United (December 12) and Royal AM (December 22).
The club said apart from the employees and squad members who tested positive, more people have to isolate as per Covid-19 protocols.
“Unfortunately, this is the only option available in the current situation and, as a responsible corporate citizen, Kaizer Chiefs upholds its duty to protect the lives of those around us – including others – and do our best to avoid an outbreak that might potentially affect the league and the country.”
In accordance with the guidelines of the FIFA and CAF health protocols against CoVID-19 and for the resumption of competitions, players testing positive for the virus are not allowed to participate in matches.