Kaizer Chiefs’ latest dilemma could be a problem if the PSL follows precedence regarding the club’s request to postpone their games due to a Covid-19 outbreak at Naturena.
In January this year, Cape Umoya United (who no longer exist after selling their franchise to Venda Football Academy) were unable to honour a fixture after half their squad tested positive ahead of their match against Cape Town Spurs in the GladAfrica Championship.
While the club tried to get the match postponed, they were not successful, as according to the PSL a resolution had been taken by the PSL Executive in August that Covid-19 cases could not be used as exceptional circumstances to postpone a match.
Instead with Umoya not showing up for the game, it was given as a walkover to Cape Town Spurs.
“We were told that we were in the wrong, but we hope common sense will prevail. We followed every rule we could and we had no intention of picking Covid-19 to force our game not to go ahead,” Umoya director Roger De Sá told City Press at the time and confirmed that the matter was heard before the league’s tribunal in February.
“We’ll wait and see what the punishment will be.”
Umoya continued to appeal the decision, however were unsuccessful, or the matter was unresolved, when they sold their franchise.
Chiefs stated on Friday that 31 members of their personnel tested positive for Covid-19 and they have asked for the postponement of their upcoming four fixtures. Just like Cape Umoya did, chiefs argue they obliged all Covid-19 protocols.
“As a result of this outbreak that has seen no less 31 people test positive for COVID-19, the Kaizer Chiefs Village is temporarily closed until next week.
“The Club has written to the Premier Soccer League to request for a postponement of the four upcoming games in December against Cape Town City (4 December), Golden Arrows (8 December), Sekhukhune FC (12 December) and Royal AM (22 December) to avoid risk of infection and further spread of the virus and allow those affected to recover and complete their quarantine period before they can play against other teams.
“We view this as a case of force majeure as what the Club is experiencing as a consequence of COVID and the protocols it is obliged to implement, is total beyond the control of the Club. The Club does not at the moment have sufficient players nor technical team to constitute a team. We have appealed to the League to seriously consider the matter for the sake of everyone’s health and safety because there are many other people involved in organising a game.”
It remains to be seen how the PSL will deal with the matter. Chiefs were due to play Cape Town City at 18:00 on Saturday.
De Sa, who is now assistant manager of Egypt, has since commented on Chiefs’ situation, saying he is keen to see how Nande Becker will handle the case.
“Let’s see how Mr Nandi Becker handles this one,” he told iDiski Times.
“Does he have the backbone or the balls to stick to his (fair play) morals? Equal rules to all.”
