SAFA have clarified their position on a proposal to have PSL increase the number of top-flight teams from 16 to 18.
The DStv Premiership currently consists of 16 teams, the same as the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
Reports over the weekend suggested SAFA were in talks with the PSL to increase the number of teams in the elite league.
The South African football governing body has since come forward to clarify its position. According to a SAFA statement, there are no discussions taking place between the two parties.
SAFA CLARIFY WHY THEY FAVOUR 18 TEAMS IN THE PSL
However, the Association believes increasing the premiership teams from 16 to 18 teams would widen the pool for Bafana Bafana. It is an idea that was previously brought forward by SAFA.
“The idea was to help increase the pool of Bafana Bafana players and other junior national teams,” read the statement.
The Association went on to reveal that the idea is not Walter Steenbok’s [the Association’s technical director] brainchild, as reported over the weekend.
“SAFA wishes to state that this is not the brainchild of the Association’s Technical Director Walter Steenbok. As it was erroneously reported this past weekend. And it is, in fact, a proposal that was proposed by the Association,” read SAFA’s statement.
SAFA’S PRESENTATION TO THE PARLIAMENT’S PORTFOLIO TO BID FOR FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP
Meanwhile, SAFA also revealed that they had made a presentation to the parliament’s portfolio committee. This is about their intentions to bid for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“The Association made a presentation about South Africa’s bid to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2027 to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee.” The presentation was done on 19 May 2023, and “contrary to some reports, the meeting was successful”.
“At no stage did the Committee members say they would not endorse South Africa’s bid to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2027.
“The reports claiming such are both malicious and devoid of any truth.”
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