The South African Football Association (SAFA) says it has decided to drop its bid to host the FIFA Club World Cup in South Africa this year due to the persistent threat of Covid-19.
With the recent news that vaccinated fans will be allowed to attend the World Cup qualifier between Bafana Bafana and Ethiopia at the FNB Stadium Tuesday, 12 October, South Africa appears to be inching closer to lifting the remaining lockdown restrictions in the country.
Be that as it may, the country has yet to hit its target threshold of 70% vaccination, and SAFA says it cannot in good conscience push ahead with plans to host the FIFA Club World Cup.
"Safa's National Executive Committee resolved that [it] will not be pursuing the matter of hosting the event," Safa revealed in an official statement
"For South Africa to host the FIFA Club World Cup, the nation needs to reach the 70 per cent vaccination threshold.
"South Africa is currently red-listed by Great Britain where European champions Chelsea will come from, another possible hindrance to the process."
South Africa has to date vaccinated just under a third of its adult population and, at the current rate of vaccination, would not meet the target of 70% in time for the tournament, which is scheduled to start on 9 December.
