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The federation chief shared an update on when the new season will begin as it collides with the FIFA hiatus.
The CEO of the South African Football Association (Safa), Tebogo Motlanthe, says that they agreed with the Premier Soccer League (PSL) to extend the window for player registrations and dropped a hint that the start of the 2020/21 season could collide with the international window of FIFA.
Although PSL’s new season was scheduled to begin on October 9, the date collides with FIFA’s international break that runs from October 5 to 13.
On the other hand, Motlanthe also confirmed the agreement they have with the league regarding the registration of players in all divisions of the Safa, including the First National Division (NFD) and the ABC Motsepe League.
“There has been a good understanding with the league and the league administration committee has ratified our request that the registration period be extended until the end of November,” Motlanthe told Cpress print edition.
On the possible return of Bafana Bafana to action, Motlanthe explained that they will await a directive from the Minister of Sports, Nathi Mthethwa, while confirming that the new season may not be played in a Biologically Safe Environment (BSE).
“It is one of the issues that we will address with the sports minister because he says that continental travel is allowed but international sports team events are not yet allowed. We believe that we will find solutions after this, “he added.
“The resolution of the meeting is to escalate this to the minister before the regulations are published.”
The CEO’s sentiments come as Safa has yet to hand over two clubs for the ABC Motsepe League promotion to fill the spot left by relegated teams Royal Eagles and Mbombela United.
Meanwhile, Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki will announce his squad for the international friendlies against Zambia on Wednesday next week.
Ntseki is reported to have presented his program to Safa executives on Saturday as he seeks to prepare his team for clashes scheduled for October 8 in Rustenburg and against Namibia three days later.
In addition, the publication reports that during the national executive committee meeting held in Johannesburg on Saturday, Motlanthe said that the soccer governing body would communicate a new registration date for players with FIFA.
This comes after the league’s governing body confirmed that the transfer window will run from September 22 to November 17.
