The Kaizer Chiefs coming to Cape Town situation has the potential of quickly developing into a major problem for the City of Cape Town.
On Tuesday, the popular Soweto club announced it will play three of its home games at the Cape Town Stadium – Wits on December 19, Platinum Stars on January 24 and SuperSport United on February 20. The change in venue was also reflected on the official fixtures programme on the Premier Soccer League’s website.
Yesterday, it came to light that Chiefs have appeared to jump the gun as far as approval is concerned. Councillor Garreth Bloor, Mayoral Committee Member for Tourism, Events and Economic Development, said in a statement: “Kaizer Chiefs has identified the Cape Town Stadium as a venue for three of their home games. A proposal has been received which is being tabled at the Special Events Committee (it met yesterday). Recommendations will be made to the Executive Mayor for onward submission to the next full sitting of Council in October 2015. At a political level, the proposal has not been approved yet.”
That may be so – but Chiefs’ early announcement already has Cape Town football up in arms. A meeting has now been scheduled with the City, scheduled to take place tomorrow. A number of disgruntled Cape clubs will be present, including Safa-CT president Norman Arendse, who represents the Cape’s amateur football teams, Ajax, Santos and Milano United. Santos chairman Goolam Allie is also still contacting the chairmen of other clubs to join the meeting.
One thing is evident: If Chiefs get approval, Cape football clubs are not just going to accept the decision meekly.
“While Chiefs are within their rights if they want to play in the Cape, this is about the integrity of football, and the PSL,” Ajax chief executive Ari Efstathiou said. “How do we, as a Cape club, build a brand in the city? Imagine if every club in the PSL simply jumped from stadium to stadium? The league would be in chaos...”
Arendse is just as unhappy with the City courting Chiefs to play in the Cape.
“What makes this whole situation worse is that Chiefs have gone and made an announcement when no official approval has been given,” he said.
“It’s an outrage… and this has got nothing to do with people’s favourite teams. Yes, as a Chiefs fan, I would love to see them playing as often as possible. But the point is that the City has not consulted with the people who are most affected by the decision to bring Chiefs to play at the Cape Town Stadium.
“The question is: Has the City not learnt from the Cape Town Cup fiasco. Because now we again have a situation where a decision is taken which affects all footballers in the Cape, but they have not been consulted on the matter. According to the constitution, they are entitled to a hearing.
“Also, why is the City paying another club to come and use Cape Town Stadium? According to PSL rules, if a club plays its home games away from its base, then it is responsible for footing the bill for their travel and accommodation. In this case, it will probably also have to pay for the travel and accommodation of the opponents as well, because they are taking them further away. Do you think Chiefs will be paying for this?
“Add to that the fact that Chiefs turned down R2million to play in the Cape Town Cup, but they are quite happy to come down to the Cape now for their home games. They must feel that it’s worth their while… The whole situation is outrageous.”
Arendse adds that the City needed to be more inclusive when dealing with football.
“The problem is that never has the City thought about getting football into a room to discuss the Cape Town Stadium or any other issues,” he said. “I’m sure that if we all get together, and there is commitment from all clubs in the city, solutions can be found. How do you build a culture of football when, every week, clubs are playing all over the place? For example, Milano play in Grassy Park and then Blue Downs, Santos at Athlone, Vasco (da Gama) in Parow and so on… Why can’t we regularly get teams together, under one roof, and build from there.”
For Allie, there was an even deeper, more historical context.
“This is about under-development,” the Santos chairman said. “They say, those who don’t remember the past are doomed to repeat it… And that’s what this situation stinks of. The City wants to spend money on an outside club, but can’t provide proper facilities for the teams who play here.
“And so, like in the past, we are perpetuating under-development. Cape clubs can’t progress because the City is empowering rich clubs from outside.
“I believe that it’s important that we rally behind Ajax… If Chiefs get approval, then it’s an indictment on all footballers in the Cape.” - Cape Times