Dr Irvin Khoza Speaks Out: Explains Why the Premier Soccer League Can’t Have Fans but the Phillys Games Did

Dr Irvin Khoza Speaks Out: Explains Why the Premier Soccer League Can’t Have Fans but the Phillys Games Did

Byron Pillay
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:53 PM
In this article:
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ZA Premier League
South Africa
  • There are still no fans allowed in Premier Soccer League games despite the easing of lockdown restrictions
  • Dr Irvin Khoza recently explained why the league could not have fans but township tournaments could
  • The Phillys Games attracted lots of positive attention recently for allowing specators into stadiums for games

Fans hoping to attend live Premier Socer League games in the new year will be sorely disappointed.

PSL Chairperson Dr Irvin Khoza recently addressed the media in which he provided an update as to why there would be no fans at PSL games just yet.

Dr Irvin Khoza, PSL, Football, Soccer, Phillys Games, South Africa
Dr Irvin Khoza recently explained why the Phillys games could have fans but the PSL can't. Image: Mike Hewitt
Source: Getty Images

The PSL has come under fire of late for its lack of fans while the hugely popular Phillys Game did have fans in attendance. In his address Dr Khoza added that it could be some time before spectators were allowed back at games, The South African reported.

Fans queried when they would be allowed back in as the adjusted lockdown level one stipulates that no more than 2 000 are allowed to attend outside gatherings.

The sight of spectators at the Phillys games then also raised more questions, but Dr Khoza was quick to explain the difference, as Soccer Laduma reported.

“I don’t know whether they are being guided by the regulations, Kasi without formal structure is two different laws that apply. Some funerals they ask that there are 100 people, Ko Kasi, you know what happens Ko Kasi.”

He also then explained why fans could not get tickets for games despite the lockdown regulation being lessened.

“The regulations say we must have 2000 spectators, now unfortunately we have got constraints as an executive because we have got responsibilities towards the partners, the sponsors, the suppliers and everybody. Amongst themselves the tickets that must go to them is plus-minus 2000 tickets. What remains for the supporters?"

With no hope in sight for fans at games in the near future, it's easy to see why some people have taken to social media to share their disappointment.

Former PSL prosector Zola Majavu returns to the body, draws negative response from football fans

In other Premier Soccer League news, renowned legal eagle Advocate Zola Majavu has returned to the hot seat as the Premier Soccer League's prosecutor, Sports Brief earlier reported. Advocate Majavu was once the chief executive officer of the PSL, but resigned abruptly back in October 2011 amid much controversy.

He had initially graduated to the position after coming into much acclaim as a prosecutor at the organisation. His return comes weeks after former PSL prosecutor Nande Becker resigned from the post.

While reasons were not given for his resignation, it happened amid a storm of legal battles the league was embroiled, including the Kaizer Chiefs Covid-19 postponement saga. According to Sowetan LIVE, Majavu's tenure would run until the end of the 2021/22 season at the very least. There were no indications whether it would be made permanent at that point.

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Byron Pillay
Byron Pillay is a sports writer and Head of the Department at Sports Brief (joined in 2022) with over 10 years of experience in community journalism and a degree in journalism from Caxton's Cadet School.
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