The Big Three's Heavy Costs To Bring Fans Back

You want to watch football live at the stadiums again? Well, it's going to cost Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns a small fortune.

The Siya crew has been led to believe that while the Premier Soccer League executive committee is holding discussions behind the scenes about the return of spectators for the first time since March last year, costs and safety remain serious concerns.

In the latest edition of Soccer Laduma, it's been explained in detail why the Covid-19 protocols, stadiums rentals and the expected need for more hands on deck will escalate the expenses of planning a domestic game.

Siya sources have suggested that costs could add up to as much as R1-million per match for any of the Big Three, especially for category A matches such as the Soweto Derby if fans are allowed back into the venues under the new normal.

10) Bahir Dar Stadium (Ethiopia) – 60 500 capacity

9) Ellis Park Stadium (South Africa) – 62 567 capacity

8) June 11 Stadium (Libya) – 65 000 capacity

7) Stade Moulay Abdellah (Morocco) – 65 000 capacity

6) Stade 5 Juillet 1962 (Algeria) – 66 000 capacity, plans to extend to 80 000

5) Stade Mohamed V (Morocco) – 67 000 capacity

4) Cairo International Stadium (Egypt) – 74 100 capacity

3) Stade des Martyrs (DR Congo) – 80 000 capacity

2) Borg El Arab Stadium (Egypt) – 86 000 capacity

1) FNB Stadium (South Africa) – 94 736 capacity

For more on talks between the PSL, SAFA and the government on the return of spectators to watching games in person, grab a copy of Soccer Laduma to find out:

• What clubs roughly spend for their home matches
• Discussions with the Health Minister about adding to the 2000 fans
• The league's expectations from the MTN8
• Is there an urgent meeting with PSL clubs on the cards?