The Premier Soccer League has conceded to the South African Football Association’s (Safa) mandate that the resumption of the 2019-20 season can only take place in August.

The league had a proposed date of 18 July for competitive matches to resume in South Africa after Dr Irvin Khoza stressed the importance of having at least six weeks to complete the current season.

Safa has since rejected the league’s proposed resumption date of 18 July and announced that no football will be played until August 2020.

Sports Minister Nathi Mthethwa gave the league the go-ahead to resume the 2019-20 season on 23 June, according to the PSL.

However, Safa has since released a statement declaring that their 110 match officials will not be ready to officiate and will require 14 days to undergo medical and mandatory fitness tests.

‘The National Soccer League Board of Governors held a virtual meeting today, 14 July 2020, to consider, amongst other things, the resumption of the 2019/20 season,’ the statement reads.

‘The Board of Governors noted that the PSL had received permission from the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture on 23 June 2020 to resume the 2019/20 season.

‘The PSL had complied with the requirements and ready to resume with the 2019/20 season on 18 July 2020, but unable to do so due to unavailability of match officials.

‘The Executive Committee has been mandated to re-engage stakeholders regarding the current status quo.’