The South African Football Association (SAFA) has lauded the government’s position to allow fans back into the stadiums with immediate effect.
On Tuesday, 22 March 2022, president Cyril Ramaphosa said in an address to the nation that indoor as well as outdoor venues can now take up to 50% of their capacity.
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The criteria for entrance to stadiums for watching sport or attending musical concerts are full vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test not older than 72 hours.
SAFA president Dr. Danny Jordaan said the Association’s position has always been that of both FIFA and CAF stance that matches without spectators “are not complete football matches.”
‘’We are happy that the government has opened up the space for fans to go back to the stadiums and it is a position that we have always advocated for. We welcome that decision,’’ said Dr. Jordaan.
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The SAFA president said the Association was intending to bid for various continental and global football events and the return of fans to the stadiums would boost the country’s bidding processes.
Dr. Jordaan said president Ramaphosa’s announcement was great news for vendors around the country.
‘’We have always said vendors have suffered enough due to Covid-19 pandemic and it is high time that they go back to their businesses and only source of income of selling wares at the stadiums.
‘’This is also welcome news to taxi drivers as they had been starved of this source of income of ferrying fans to and from the stadiums,’’ he added.
*SAFA Official Statement
