By Emily Goddard
January 12 – Robin Petersen (pictured), the chief executive of the South African Football Association (SAFA), has revealed that his organisation is partnering with the Premier Soccer League (PSL) to urge the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to adhere with the European footballing calendar.
Petersen claimed that South African football’s governing body, along with the national soccer league, has already approached other divisions on the continent and discovered the majority also calling for an alignment of international dates.
The current setup means the PSL falls in line with the European calendar, allowing European-based South Africans to also be available for Bafana Bafana international matches.
The CAF calendar runs from January to December, however, sparking problems with the African Nations Cup and leaving South Africa short of key players in recent games.
“When the PSL was formed in 1996, a decision was taken to change their calendar in line with Europe,” Petersen told the South African newspaper The Sowetan.
“The problem was that the PSL calendar clashed with the one in Europe.
“It was difficult getting players based in Europe to come play for Bafana Bafana at that time, as some of the clubs in Europe refused to release them.
“Now that we have a FIFA mandatory calendar, we either have to align with the one for CAF or remain with the European one.
“We [SAFA and the PSL] are talking to CAF hoping it will also align with the European calendar.
“It is also the preference of the majority of the leagues on the continent.
“It is either we align with the CAF calendar or continue following the European one.
“We hope the engagements with CAF and the leagues will finally bring to an end the club versus country problem.”
Contact the writer of this story at zib.l1734935921labto1734935921ofdlr1734935921owedi1734935921sni@d1734935921raddo1734935921g.yli1734935921me1734935921