South African Minister of Sports, Arts and Recreation, Nathi Mthethwa, has reminded Safa and the PSL of the importance of working together when planning for the resumption of football in the country.

The two organisations almost always seem to be on different pages. As things stand, Safa firmly believes that no football shall be played at any level until the green light is given from government. The PSL, on the other hand, is desperately trying to push for the completion of the season, even behind closed doors.

The minister said, though, that while they are engaging various stakeholders on reopening with a risk-adjustment strategy, a unified voice is needed from Safa and the PSL to ensure government will listen.

‘We want to engage their wise counsel on their thoughts on the reopening of the lockdown with our own risk-adjusted strategy, as government,’ said Mthethwa as quoted by EWN.

‘They must counsel me, both of them [Safa boss Danny Jordaan and PSL chief Irvin Khoza], and I emphasise, it would be advisable that, as government, we get one voice from them.

‘My final message to both is, they are occupying an important space in society in regard to football, so as the Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, I would nudge them to work together at all material times in regard to football.’

The league will have another meeting with government on Thursday, 7 May to plot a way forward.