• The PSL had little option but to agree on a new resumption date for the Absa Premiership.
• Initially, 18 July was earmarked but the date has been moved to early August.
• PSL chairperson Irvin Khoza believes the resumption of the league will provide needed finance for the soccer fraternity, as well as a psychological stimulant for the nation.

"We are a business" retorted "Iron Duke" chairperson Irvin Khoza after the trillion rand PSL had reluctantly accepted a directive from SAFA to resume Absa Premiership fixtures early next month instead of the coming weekend.

There was more than a hint in Khoza's comment that SAFA handled its affairs in less than a business-like manner, but with hard-pressed sports minister Nathi Mthethwa entrusting South African soccer's controlling body with overseeing the entire resumption of soccer in the country in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the PSL had little option but to agree to a compromise.

The PSL had earmarked 18 July as the date for the resumption of games on the basis that six weeks were required to complete the disrupted 2019-20 season and playing games beyond the end of August would incur major financial problems for the clubs and the league.

SAFA, under whose aegis the Referees Association is run, argued that officials could in no way reach the required level of fitness to control games before next month - an assertion dismissed by former referee chief Ace Ncobo and others who claim SAFA is simply attempting to score points in a shaky relationship with the financially powerful PSL.

The PSL, nonetheless, has succeeded in securing Mthethwa's agreement to controversially stage the centralised resumption of matches in Gauteng despite the province's grim escalation of coronavirus cases - the number increasing to a highly disturbing 5 644 on Wednesday alone - ostensibly also to control the finance involved in an operation that will be staged without spectators among its stringent conditions.

Not everyone, however, is happy with the Gauteng venue under present circumstances and label it an uneasy gamble, despite Khoza insisting the tough provisos to limit the pandemic as much as possible will be implemented to the same degree, if not better, as in any other province.

He also emphasised that resuming fixtures of South Africa's most popular sport will not only provide needed finance for thousands of players, officials and other subsidiary workers, but will be a psychological stimulant for a troubled nation in crisis.