The Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Mr Nathi Mthethwa, has confirmed that the Premier Soccer League can resume its season after the league’s Covid-19 mitigation strategy was approved.

The league has been suspended since March after the coronavirus pandemic began to spread across the country.

South Africa is now slowly starting to operate again under level-3 government regulations, which now also allow for the return of professional football after the PSL restart plans have finally been approved.

The minister revealed the news in a statement on Wednesday morning.

“The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Mr Nathi Mthethwa published gazetted Directions relating to COVID -19 Level 3 Regulations on 28 May 2020, which cover the resumption of sport activities. The different Sport bodies are submitting their plans, indicating their state of readiness and the stringent health protocols they will implement in accordance with the prescribed Regulations and Directions.

The plans of the Premier Soccer League have been approved, considering the mitigation strategies and plans in relation to the Level 3 risk adjusted strategy in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. The plans have further been subject to
analysis by Health authorities, the NICD (National Institute of Communicable Diseases) who have recommended that the measures put in place by the organisation meet and in some instances exceed the required protocol for a safe
return to training and to play in a Biologically Safe Environment,” read the statement.

OFFICIAL: PSL matches can resume pic.twitter.com/7ziV08CnBZ

— Tracksuit (@ThabisoMosia) June 24, 2020

The plans have not been announced by the league just yet, but PSL chairman Dr Irvin Khoza has confirmed that the league has looked into the possibility of completing the season in a single province, with Durban and Johannesburg touted as possible host cities.

More news is likely to develop from this story as the league will reveal just how they plan to get back to action and keep the players safe.