Fans will pay more to watch Premier Soccer League (PSL) matches this season, PSL chairperson Irvin Khoza said on Thursday.
“It is always unfortunate when one has to make increases but there is no way we can continue to charge R20 for 90 minutes of high quality entertainment any longer,” Khoza said after a PSL board of governors meeting in Sandton.
‘We want to maintain the spirit of the World Cup. But supporters have been paying R20 to attend our games for the past eight years.
“Costs have increased in that period for example it costs a club R500 000 just to stage a PSL match. We have no option but to increase our prices.”
Khoza could not give a figure but it was likely that fans would have to pay R40 to attend PSL matches this season.
The PSL are charging between R50 and R100 for next Saturday’s Telkom Charity Cup.
“We have already sold 56 000 tickets for the event even before we know which four PSL clubs will be competing. That is amazing and shows that if we provide top class entertainment the market is there.”
The league was expected to ratify increases at the PSL executive meeting before the new premiership kicks off at the end of August, he said.
The PSL had also signed an agreement with the SA Players Union agreeing to a minimum wage and basic rights for players.
“The clubs have agreed to look after players’ rights. It is an important and a big step forward for soccer in our country.”
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) had praised the PSL for the unity shown during the World Cup.
“Cosatu sent us a letter congratulating us on the unity and spirit during the World Cup finals and urged us to maintain this positive mood.”
He said the PSL were keen to benefit from the new stadiums built for the World Cup, although they could not force clubs to use the new stadiums in Nelspruit, Polokwane, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town and Durban.
“We as the PSL do not know what agreements and conditions have been entered into by stadiums and management companies.
“We would like to encourage clubs to use the new facilities but cannot force clubs into playing in venues before we have all the details at our disposal.”
The controversial issue surrounding the SA Football Association (Safa) and its disputed annual general meeting held last September where Khoza was pipped by Kirstin Nematandani as Safa president was again put on hold.
Safa implemented new changes to their constitution in June.
Khoza said: “We cannot comment until Safa furnish us with details and we get clarity.”
The first division will kick-off on September 11. – Sapa