Mamelodi Sundowns will get the rest that coach Miguel Cardoso has been demanding for after their Nedbank Cup quarter-final against Sekhukhune United was postponed on Friday.
The match was set to kick off at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday but the PSL called it off after learning that the match venue had also been booked for another event.
According to a statement from the PSL, the league organisers learnt that a FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifier, set to kick off at 15.00, had been booked to take place at the Lucas Moripe and as a consequence, decided to postpone the Nedbank Cup match.
“The stadium was secured in terms of a detailed agreement (the stadium agreement) affording the league exclusive control of the venue prior to and on match day and all arrangements were in place for the match,” the PSL said via a statement.
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“Unfortunately, the Premier Soccer League (PSL) learned today of social media reports that the stadium had seen fit to accept a booking for an under 17 FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifier scheduled to kick off at 15h00.
“The PSL raised the issue urgently including demanding confirmation that the stadium agreement would be complied with failing which the league would have to accept that it had been repudiated. No such confirmation has been forthcoming.”
PSL said it saw it fit to cancel the match as it was not possible to have two games at the same venue in the envisioned timeframe.
“More importantly, all of the safety arrangements for the match including categorization in terms of SASREA; Event Safety and Security meetings; engagements with SAPS; and implementation of the League’s Safety and Security Manual proceeded in accordance with the stadium agreement,” the statement added.
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“No planning was done on the basis of another event on the day of the match. It would consequently be reckless for the League to proceed with the match and in so doing put at risk the safety and security of Nedbank, the participants, SAFA match officials, the public, and the league staff.
“The league will investigate the matter fully to establish how this situation arose. Unfortunately, under these circumstances the league has been left with no option but to cancel the stadium agreement and postpone tomorrow’s match.
“The PSL extends an apology to all stakeholders of the beautiful game who were preparing to watch the Quarterfinal tomorrow. The league will deal responsibly with the rescheduling of the match in compliance with the law and the League Compliance Manual and the public will be kept informed,” the statement further said, urging fans who had purchased tickets to keep them until a new date is announced.
The decision, although late, will give Sundowns some time to rest after Cardoso had been complaining about his team’s fixture congestion.
