Panic for AFCON participating teams as Cameroon separatists bomb host city Limbe
FootballEconomic Freedom Fighters Set to Roast Government, SAFA, PSL and Multichoice
- The Economic Freedom Fighters are set to crank up the heat on the powers-that-be to consider reopening stadiums to the public for the first time since March 2020
- Leader of the party Julius Malema made the promise at a rally last Saturday, and was seen in a video confirming that they'd resort to picketing
- The picketing will start on Thursday when EFF members converge on the Department of Sports and Recreation, before turning their attention elsewhere
The Economic Freedom Fighters are not joking about forcing the hand of the powers-that-be to reopen stadiums to the public.
EFF leader Julius Malema spoke at a party rally last weekend, imploring president Cyril Ramaphosa and the government to prioritise letting spectators watch their favourite teams. This time around, the South African Football Association, Premier Soccer League, Department of Sports and Recreation and Multichoice found themselves in his cross-hairs.
Speaking in a video posted on the party's Twitter page, Malema said:
"On Thursday we are picketing at the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture to demand that it must suggest to the [Coronavirus Command] Council that the stadiums must be opened, even if it's is to a limited amount, we don't care. If there are no results with that picket we are going to picket SAFA, and picket PSL.
"It looks like there is an elite group of elite ANC-aligned which is enjoying this thing of people watching from DStv, because it means more money and viewership DStv. Those who can't afford DStv can't enjoy the beauty of South African people. AFCON is playing... people are at the stadiums. What is so different here in South Africa? Remember when stadiums are opened, informal traders make a lot of money to feed their families."
Movement to reopen stadiums to the public starts to gain momentum
It appears that South African sports fans are itching to get back into stadiums to watch their favourite teams.
Premier League club to ban parents of children who run onto the pitch
FootballAs reported on Sports Brief, the famous and the unknown have expressed their opinions in favour of this way forward on the back of encouraging developments in the fight against Covid-19.
The South African government has done away completely with the lockdown, while millions of citizens have also received multiple vaccines.