BusinessLive reports that new directives published in the government gazette place greater responsibility on football governing bodies
BusinessLive has reported that the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and the SA Football Association (Safa) will be held liable for claims for damages or negligence that may occur as a result of Covid-19 casualties when football resumes.
Despite having approved the plan by the joint liaison committee of Safa and PSL for a safe return to controlled training, Sports Minister Nathi Mthethwa published new directives from in the government gazette last Monday wherein the fine print places liability squarely in the hands of the sport body and its affiliates. While PSL and most of the National First Division teams are back in training, there is confusion as their health and safety compliance protocols have not been approved by Safa. Last weekend, the Minister wrote to Safa reaffirming that it must play the overarching role in ensuring compliance before teams returned to training
“A sport body must ensure that all its affiliate members are jointly responsible for any claims for damages as a result of failure to take reasonable measures in curbing the spread of Covid-19‚” Mthethwa explained in the gazette.
“The sports body must ensure that all its members comply with the directions‚ regulations and any other applicable legislation. The sports body must assume full responsibility for the safety and security of its members‚ staff, and athletes in curbing the spread of Covid-19.”
