SAFA boss Jordaan lauds govt on 50% stadium capacity: 'We have always advocated for it'

The South African Football Association (SAFA) have backed the government's position to allow a 50% capacity at stadiums across the country.

On Tuesday, President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation on various topics. He confirmed that stadium access will be granted to more supporters as stadiums can now operate at 50% of their capacity with the lifting of certain Covid-19 restrictions.

Ramaphosa said entry would be for those who are fully vaccinated or who can show a recent negative PCR test result.

SAFA President Danny Jordaan said the association's position has always been that FIFA and CAF matches without spectators "are not complete football matches".

"We are happy that the government has opened up the space for fans to go back to the stadiums, and it is a position that we have always advocated for. We welcome that decision," said Jordaan as quoted by the official SAFA website.

"We have always said vendors have suffered enough due to Covid-19 pandemic, and it is high time that they go back to their businesses and only source of income of selling wares at the stadiums.

"This is also welcome news to taxi drivers as they had been starved of this source of income of ferrying fans to and from the stadiums," he added.

Meanwhile, the Premier Soccer League (PSL) executive committee will also meet early next week after Ramaphosa's announcement.

Domestic football supporters still have to wait on the PSL as the association's hierarchy remain stubborn in their approach to their return despite cricket and rugby fans attending live matches this year.

However, football fans will soon get to watch live matches following the recent announcement by both SAFA and the SA government.