Premier Soccer League (PSL) supporters have been barred from attending matches since the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals during the 2019/20 season, which took place just before President Cyril Ramaphosa’s ban on all events with 100 or more attendees, in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Under the adjusted Level 1 regulations, fans are still not allowed to attend matches, more than halfway through the current season. Many have called for a limited number of fans to be allowed back in stadiums, which has been done in the UK, USA & other countries in various sports.
South African Football Players’ Union President Thulaganyo Gaoshubelwe has come out in agreement with these calls, arguing that it has already been proven to be a viable solution for the league. He suggests, “The knowledge that we have about COVID is that it thrives in small spaces where there’s a lack of proper ventilation. We believe that fans can be allowed in stadiums, they are big, we can agree in terms of the numbers, we can keep socially distanced. We must not create a perception that says football is a spreader. How can football be a super-spreader? We are pushing for [the fan’s return].”
For the full podcast, in which Gaoshubelwe discusses SAFPU’s stand against discrimination, equal pay for women in football & more, use the player above.
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