PSL calls for urgent meeting with member clubs

As reported by SABC Sport on Wednesday, the Brazilians have entered into discussions with their DStv Premiership rivals over the possibility of having a some of their fixtures later this month moved due to their participation in the highly anticipated African Football League (AFL). 

But the PSL had initially rejected the idea of the defending league champions being part of the eight-team tournament understood to be the brainchild of FIFA president Gianni Infantino and implemented by CAF. 

Sundowns are scheduled to face Petro de Luanda of Angola on October 21, the same weekend the Carling Knockout opening round of 16 takes place – and the Tshwane giants have been drawn to face TS Galaxy in Mbombela. 

There has been no official word from the PSL, while Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena has twice claimed to be in the dark when asked by the media if he knows whether the team will play in the AFL.

CAF have only responded by putting out fixtures, announcing the R75-million prize money and more sponsors as excitement builds up on the African continent. 

It’s expected, according to club bosses, that the league will look to revisit the decision to vote against Sundowns playing in the AFL. 

According to officials who were part of the resolution taken two weeks ago, the PSL raised concerns around several issues:

·The late confirmation of when the AFL would get underway 

·The manner in which the communication from CAF came about as the invitation letter had an address in Rwanda (later discovered by SABC Sport to be an independent company with origins from Italy running the tournament)

·A congested domestic schedule that has to accommodate the Confederation Cup, the Champions League as well as the Africa Cup of Nations to be staged by Ivory Coast in January 

·Should Sundowns use two squads, this would devalue the domestic product  

The BOG meeting has been called for Friday late morning, but the official agenda will only be confirmed once all the teams are represented. 

Indications are that the PSL could discuss a U-turn considering Sundowns have already been given the greenlight to look into moving some fixtures that clash with their participation in the AFL.