Vaccinated SA soccer fans get thumbs up for stadium return
Soccer fans across the country may be in for some reprieve soon after the Health Department and the South African Football Association agreed in principle to open up stadiums.
Spectators were banned from the stadium last year at the onset of Covid-19 and the subsequent lockdown in March.
While televised live matches continue under struct conditions, the grand stands remain empty.
Health Minister Joe Phaahla met with SAFA president Danny Jordaan in Nasrec on Monday to discuss the prospects of allowing fans to return.
Phaahla welcomed SAFA’s recommendation.
“The return of fans to the stadiums will expedite the vaccination drive and in the same breath stimulate the informal economic sector of taxis who drive spectators to the stadiums and those who sell their commodities to the fans,” said SAFA in a statement.
“The health minister said he was appreciative of football’s support to drive for mass vaccinations and at the same time help the informal sectors earn a living by fans returning to the stadium.”
The move follows several deliberations by government in an effort to boost the country’s Covid-19 vaccination drive.
Only vaccinated fans will be allowed in.
“SAFA President said the Association was committed to see South Africans getting vaccinated and fully support the initiative and will use football to accelerate the process,” the statement added.
A further announcement is expected to be made on Friday but it remains unclear what this means for other sporting codes.
“The pilot project of fans returning to the stadium on 12 October during the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier between Bafana Bafana and Ethiopia should herald the beginning of spectators fully returning to the stadiums.”
Bafana Bafana took the lead in Group G last month with four points.
Ghana and Ethopia are tie with three points while Zimbabwe sits at the bottom of the group with one point.
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