Something is just not right at the PSL headquarters in Parktown, Joburg. As to what it is, one just can’t put one’s finger on it. While the league is swimming in wealth and affluence, due to sponsorship and the wholesome TV deal with SuperSport, things are a wonky.
For starters, the PSL Awards took place this past week, virtually – what a big bore and anti-climax to wrap up a thrilling 2024-25 season. There were a lot of question marks as to how on earth, in 2025, nogal, an awards function is organised virtually.
The PSL is still stuck in the Covid-19 years, while the rest of the world has moved on.
This is supported by the fact that the chairman of the league, Irvin Khoza, was wearing a face mask when he was alone in front of the cameras.
It is a well-known secret that when you make a turn at the PSL offices and enter the offices without a mask, you run the risk of getting an Andrew “Jaws of Life” Rabutla kind of tackle, one that can leave you bonding with the cold ceramic tiles on the floor.
One could not help but feel sorry for award presenters Carol Tshabalala, Thomas Mlambo, Vuyisile Ngcobo and Andile Ncube, who made an effort, got the matching threads and changed a zillion times, on a phantom red carpet and in front of an empty house. Wow!
Well, as we all know, the PSL has taken a rather aloof stance in the way they deal with the media and with the spiritual owners, the fans. The head honchos at the league seemingly do not feel obliged to explain some of their bizarre decisions. They could not care less what the media writes or pronounces.
It has become a trend and a pattern over the last couple of years. During the Royal AM fiasco, the media and all the interested parties were kept in the dark. Even when there was uncertainty and speculation during the relegation débâcle when a SuperSport United v Golden Arrows game was postponed due to a lights failure at Atteridgeville, the league stayed mum until they reached a verdict to resume the match three months later.
As we speak, there are still lingering boardroom cases, appeals and protests, which could send the league season into a tailspin. Cape Town City are hell-bent on avoiding playing in the wilderness that is known as the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
They have thrown a spanner in the works, and a Safa arbitration ruled in their favour that the matter should be thrown back at the PSL disciplinary committee to be ventilated properly.
Again, everyone is fishing for information and speculating, and the danger is that people can consume wrong and inaccurate information. As we all know, when you have money, it is easy to paper over the cracks rather than addressing the matter at hand meaningfully.
Virtual awards were not what the doctor had ordered. It somehow denied the players and the coaches, who are the biggest stakeholders and proponents of the league, their shine and moment of glory.
After a long, arduous season, players want to walk on the red carpet, ascend the stage, pose for the cameras with their trophies and medals – they work hard to create and achieve those priceless moments, that may only come once – don’t deny them that satisfaction and pleasure.
