PSL to snub SAFA Congress, call for meeting with Minister and CAF president

The South African Football Association will hold a two-day workshop/indaba in Johannesburg on Friday and Saturday, before hosting its annual ordinary congress on Sunday.

However, the Premier Soccer League, who are a special member under the rule of the national football governing body, have indicated their intention not to attend.

"The Executive Committee unanimously resolved that the PSL would not attend the workshop/Indaba or the Ordinary SAFA Congress," read a statement from the League on Thursday.

This followed the PSL's monthly executive committee meeting being brought forward by a week, with the call being made by the organisation's top decision-making body.

"The monthly meeting of the Premier Soccer League (PSL) Executive Committee was held today, Thursday the 20th of April 2023, rather than on the last Thursday of the month due to the upcoming celebration of Freedom Day," further read the statement.

Instead, the PSL have called an audience with more senior stakeholders – Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa, as well as CAF president Patrice Motsepe, after which they will then deliberate with the board of governors, i.e. representatives of all 32 members clubs.

"The Executive Committee delegation will seek an urgent audience with the Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture; the President of CAF; and the stakeholders that support professional football; and then call an extraordinary meeting of the PSL Board of Governors to report on the matter," concluded the media release.

The exact reason for the League's reluctance to attend is as yet clear, although the indication from SAFA earlier this week that CAF's club licensing regulations will be enforced could be central to this.

The two parties have often butted heads and are known to have a strained relationship, with similar standoffs happening every so often.