Sponsorship deals from the SABC of R500-million and R140-million from South African Breweries came in handy in the Premier Soccer League’s (PSL) decision to cut down to 16 teams from 18. Money from these two deals enabled the league to dangle a carrot of R8-million before any team that wanted to be bought out.
A ”willing-buyer willing-seller”, criterion was used to buy out the two teams, says the league. PSL acting CEO Leepile Taunyane said: ”Five teams from the league then decided to take up the offer of being bought out and the teams were Ria Stars, Free State Stars, Hellenic, newly promoted African Wanderers and Santos.” The front-runners were the little twinkling lights — Ria Stars and Free State Stars — as they could no longer shine because of dire financial problems.
Ria Stars, who two seasons ago were promoted to the league, decided to close shop as their bills exceeded their budget. The Limpopo side that had shown a lot of promise in their first season saw their performances dwindle last season.
Ria Stars co-owner Ria Ledwaba will be out of a job in the premiership, while her partner, musician Chicco Twala, said he does not see himself venturing into soccer again. The enthusiasm Ledwaba had when her team got league status is now all gone.
Ria Stars say they will need another R1-million to square off their debts as they were reported to be R9-million in the red. The money could be recouped by selling their players, who are being head-hunted by other premiership teams. But that could be a bone of contention between players and club, because by selling the club the owners are no longer bound by league regulations and therefore cannot claim compensation or transfer fee. The players could declare themselves free agents, sue their clubs for damages and lodge contractual claims.
The dilemma for Ria Stars fans is which team to now support — but they need look no further than newly promoted Dynamos.
Free State Stars, owned by Mike Mokoena, were latecomers to the race to be bought out. Mokoena — who had seen a financial crisis coming a year ago — finally could not hold on to the team and had to sell. His decision is bad news for Free State soccer lovers as they will now have to kiss PSL soccer goodbye until Bloemfontein Celtic get promoted.
The three other teams in contention to close down refused, claiming the money offered was too little.
Trimming down to 16 teams could solve one of the league’s biggest problems: fixture congestion caused by some teams participating in continental competitions, Bafana Bafana fixtures interrupting the season, and also player fatigue. Taunyane said the monthly grants of R220 000 to clubs would not be increased for now.
The fact that two sides have closed down should send a warning to teams without sponsors that they should now start looking at pulling up their socks.
The remaining teams will also have to look at increasing their supporter base — not only by armchair-viewing fans but also by attracting people to attend games.
Tauyane said: ”Eventually the aim of the league is to have 14 teams, as envisaged in the formation of the PSL in 1996/1997.” The buy-outs have caused the league to postpone the start of the new season to August 23 as a new fixture list must be drawn up.
” Just a few hours after promoting under-23 coach Ephraim ”Shakes” Mashaba to take charge of the senior national team and appointing Khonti Kubheka as interim coach for the under-23s, the South African Football Association decided to appoint Kubheka on a permanent basis.