President of the South African Football Association (SAFA) Danny Jordaan, says giving the Premier Soccer League title to current table toppers Kaizer Chiefs would not help the social distancing course.
Chiefs are four points ahead of second placed Mamelodi Sundowns, and there have been calls from different parts insisting the PSL title should be given to the Glamour Boys since there are doubts of the league resuming in the foreseeable future.
The SAFA president insists that handing Kaizer Chiefs the PSL title would work against the control of the coronavirus pandemic in South Africa.
“The curve is spiking again. Death and infections are increasing. We can also not say that we are going to play while the curve is going up. It’s not in our hands really,” Jordaan said.
“In the English FA, Liverpool are 25 points clear of rivals Manchester City. They are saying if they play behind closed doors and Liverpool wins, there’s a minimum of 70,000 supporters that will go to the streets and celebrate – now where’s social distancing?”
The 2019/2020 PSL season was suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak on the day Mamelodi Sundowns were scheduled to play Orlando Pirates, while the next day would have seen Kaizer Chiefs face Bidvest Wits.
Jordaan believes playing these games behind closed doors would also be risky, while ending the league season prematurely could cause a frenzy.
“If Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates play behind closed doors the 90,000 supporters that were supposed to get to FNB Stadium, where will they go? Are they sitting at home? They’ll go to the shebeens and taverns,” Jordaan stated.
“If Chiefs win the league, the supporters will go to the street and go crazy.”
Chiefs legend, Lucas Radebe has been one of the numerous voices that have called for the PSL title to be handed to the Amakhosi.
Kaizer Chiefs have not won the PSL trophy or any trophy in five years, with their last piece of silverware coming with former South Africa head coach Stuart Baxter as the manager.