{"id":248246,"date":"2020-04-20T06:30:00","date_gmt":"2020-04-20T04:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/248246\/safas-stance-towards-the-extension-of-lockdown\/"},"modified":"2020-04-17T15:08:54","modified_gmt":"2020-04-17T13:08:54","slug":"safas-stance-towards-the-extension-of-lockdown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/sports-news\/2020\/04\/20\/safas-stance-towards-the-extension-of-lockdown\/","title":{"rendered":"Safa’s stance towards the extension of lockdown"},"content":{"rendered":"

The South African Football Association (Safa) has issued their outlook towards the Covid-19 pandemic thus far.<\/p>\n

The association has taken note of the comments by Victor Montagliani, a Canadian who is president of the governing body for North and Central America and the Caribbean, who has been heading a Fifa working group formulating plans to deal with the implications of football being largely shut down since last month.<\/p>

<\/div>\n

Most European countries, including Russia and France, have not only intensified the regulations on people\u2019s movement during the lockdown but also extended the period of lockdown to May 2020.<\/p>\n

The lockdown in South Africa has been extended until the end of April with the clear warning that the period of lockdown and free movement should not be viewed as a switch which can be turned on and off.<\/p>

<\/div>\n

President Cyril Ramaphosa and Minister of Health Dr Zweli Mkhize has given clear instructions and leadership on this matter which Safa urged all its members to follow and observe.<\/p>\n

An abrupt end to the lockdown is not expected, but rather a phase-out approach. Safa will, therefore, await further announcement leading to April 30.<\/p>\n

Safa president Dr Danny Jordaan said: \u201cIt is also common knowledge that international matches require international flights.<\/p>\n

\u201cA high number of our international players are playing overseas.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have taken note of Fifa\u2019s international position that international matches could possibly only resume in 2021.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will consult with the Minister of Transport on the matter of international travel. Safa\u2019s national teams can therefore not be assembled unless international flights are reinstated.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n

Lockdown: The GCN visited several suburbs as lockdown continues<\/a><\/p>\n

Covid-19: Things to consider during lockdown<\/a><\/h4>\n

\n

\u201cIt is also clear that domestic competitions can only be preceded with on two conditions: that government declares it is safe to do so and that domestic flights are reinstated.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese conditions depend on a declaration by the government on the period of lockdown and depending on normal operations by domestic airlines, as well as other service providers to the football industry.<\/p>\n

\u201cVirtually all the football associations globally have accepted that football competitions are not possible even behind closed doors; hence, the whole world stopped all sporting activities.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe believe that the return of fans to the stadiums should coincide with the availability of the vaccine for Covid-19. In this regard, we note that tests have already commenced in various parts of the world.<\/p>\n

“Football is an activity-based business based on the health of the participants, a point Fifa president Gianni Infantino emphasised this week.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf there is any threat to the health of the players, there should not be any football. Safa will approach the government and Fifa for financial assistance during this period of serious financial challenges.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the interim, Safa calls on all of its members and supporters to cooperate with government in assisting in the process of testing and identifying Covid-19 positive individuals. We reiterate the support for the identification, testing and treatment of all of our people for Covid-19. We all belong to the same team and we need to defeat the enemy.<\/p>\n

\u201cStay at home. Wash your hands. Maintain social distance and keep safe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

* Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Dear reader,<\/em><\/p>\n

As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as \u201cfake news\u201d) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.<\/em><\/p>\n

Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za<\/a>) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za<\/a>).<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hav<\/strong>e a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za,<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za\u00a0<\/a><\/strong>or Busi Vilakazi (Journalist)\u00a0busiv@caxton.co.za.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Also follow us on:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

\n

<\/div>\n<\/p>
\n