SAFA have confirmed they have received CAF correspondence regarding today’s CAF Confederation Cup match between Rivers United and Bloemfontein Celtic, which was called off.
Celtic were meant to go to Nigeria this week to play the second leg of their first round tie against Rivers. The Nigerians had won 2-0 in South Africa in late December.
SAFA statement read, “The Confederations of African Football (CAF), has written a letter to the South African Football Association (SAFA) regarding the status of the second leg Confederations Cup game between Rivers United and Bloemfontein Celtic.”
“The match was scheduled to take place on Wednesday afternoon in Port Harcourt but Celtic didn’t travel to Nigeria after the Nigerian authorities insisted that the Bloemfontein-based club would not be given preferential treatment with regards to their strict covid-19 protocols. “
“The procedures require all individuals visiting Nigeria from high risk areas to be quarantined for 7 days upon arrival in the country. South Africa is designated as one of the high-risk countries whose visitors are required to undergo this process.”
“Celtic through SAFA had written to both the Nigerian FA and government requesting for this requirement to be waivered. However, the Nigerian government turned down this request, forcing SAFA to write to CAF for further guidance.”
SAFA received the following reply from CAF:
“In view of the letter received from the Nigerian Football Federation last night, (Tuesday, 5 January 2021) stating that the South African delegation cannot be exempted from the required quarantine, we would like to inform you that the match shall not take place as scheduled,” read CAF’s correspondence to SAFA.
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‘’We hereby inform you that the case will be submitted to the competent body within CAF to decide on the appropriate course of action to follow. The decision shall be communicated in due time.”
