South Africa’s PSL postpone league over coronavirus

PSL chairman Irvin Khoza briefs the media

JOHANNESBURG (AFP): South Africa has cancelled top-flight football with immediate effect because of the coronavirus pandemic, Premier Soccer League (PSL) chairman Irvin Khoza said yesterday.

Sixty-two people have contracted the virus as of 1300 GMT Monday, according to health officials in the most industrialised African country, with no deaths reported.

“We will be in contact with the health authorities and review the situation on an on-going basis,” Khoza told a press conference in Johannesburg.

“This is our effort to promote the health and safety of all our members, including players, officials, sponsors and staff.” South Africa are following a number of other African nations, including Ghana and Morocco, in cancelling football indefinitely.

The first fixture to be affected, a league clash between title contenders Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates in Pretoria today, was expected to draw a 50,000 crowd.

On Sunday, the South African government banned gatherings of more than 100 people, leaving football officials with two options: postpone matches or play them in empty stadiums.

The South African league is the richest in Africa with a record 15 million rand ($ 900,000/810,000 euro) going to the champions this season.

South Africa suspends all activities for 60 days

CAPE TOWN (Reuters): Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Monday suspended all forms of the game in the country for 60 days after the Government banned gatherings larger than 100 people in response to the threat of the coronavirus outbreak.

The suspension applies to first-class, limited-overs, semi-professional, junior and amateur cricket, with the country’s domestic 50-over championship at the semi-final stage.

“During this time of absolute caution and surveillance, we would like to call upon all our members and affiliates to desist from taking part in any cricket related gatherings and other transversal events that will include the congregation of large numbers of people and/or up to 100 people,” CSA acting chief executive Jacques Faul said. The men’s national side have no fixtures scheduled until a tour of the West Indies in late July. The West Indies board has suspended cricket activities for at least 30 days, it said on Saturday.

The start of the Indian Premier League has been moved to 15 April and the final two rounds of New Zealand’s domestic competition have also been cancelled. South Africa had recorded 62 cases of coronavirus by yesterday, most contracted by people travelling outside the country, and no deaths associated with the virus have been reported.