PSL remains silent on Kaizer Chiefs’ predicament after 31 positive Covid cases

There were five DStv Premiership matches over the past weekend, with three ending in stalemates and two ending with winners.

Defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns dropped points after playing to a 1-1 draw against Stellenbosch. AmaZulu and Royal AM also shared the spoils after a goalless draw, as did Swallows and Maritzburg United following a 1-1 draw.

There were victories for Sekhukhune United and Golden Arrows as they beat SuperSport United and Chippa United respectively.

However, all eyes fell on the one match that eventually wasn’t played — Kaizer Chiefs versus Cape Town City.

Covid crisis

On Friday 3 December, Chiefs released a statement indicating that they had written to the Premier Soccer League (PSL) to ask for a postponement of their game against City, as well as four other games following that match. This includes clashes against Golden Arrows (8 December), Sekhukhune (12 December), Royal AM (19 December) and Maritzburg (22 December).

Amakhosi said they had deemed it necessary to do this as 31 of their personnel at the Kaizer Chiefs Village in Naturena had tested positive for Covid-19 in the lead-up to the game.

The Johannesburg-based team said their medical team had conducted contact tracing of primary contacts of those who tested positive and had instructed all players, members of the technical team and staff, including those who tested negative but who are primary contacts to quarantine.

This led to Amakhosi failing to honour their fixture against City, which was scheduled to take place at the FNB Stadium on Saturday evening.

“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,” said the Soweto giants in a statement.

The Citizens arrived for the match only to find the gates locked at the stadium, indicating that they had not received any communication alluding to the postponement of the match from the PSL’s hierarchy.

“Having followed all matchday procedures, Cape Town City was present at FNB Stadium for the start of the match at 18:00. Regrettably Chiefs did not arrive and the match officials called the game off at 18:15 in accordance with the rules of the game. A sad day for football,” said the club.

As it stands, Amakhosi are yet to receive any communication from the league, despite writing two letters.

“The latest and what’s on my desk is on Chiefs’ website, if there’s anything new update it will also be issued,” Amakhosi’s communications manager, Vina Maphosa said to Daily Maverick when asked if they had since received any feedback from the league.

A rock and a hard place

According to the league’s handbook, postponements are permitted under these conditions:

• 9.4 In extraordinary circumstances, the league may postpone a match at any time prior to the start of the match.


• 9.5. Fixtures may be changed by the league, provided that proper notification of the rescheduled fixture is given to the participating member clubs in terms of this rule.


• 9.7. A member club seeking approval for a fixture change must submit a written request for the fixture change to the league at least 10 days prior to the match in question on the prescribed form issued by the league, accompanied by all the supporting documents required. The league has the discretion to grant or refuse the request.