6 July 2021 – Following an urgent meeting held between the South African Football Association (SAFA), the league’s sponsor Hollywoodbets and our broadcast partner, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), a decision has been taken to suspend the Hollywoodbets Super League games with immediate effect.
This is coming from recommendations made by the SAFA Chief Medical Officer, Dr Thulani Ngwenya who is also our Compliance Officer.
In reaching this decision, the following issues were taken into consideration:
– The alarming daily increases in the number of Covid-19 positive cases in the country
– Players participating in this league now testing positive per reports from various teams and
– The difficulty in containing the new delta variant which is much more infectious .
The suspension of this league will assist in managing and controlling the surge of this pandemic, while preserving the lives of players, team management, match officials and other stakeholders.
“The SABC is aligned with the current government regulations and the need to take all steps necessary to restrict the transmission of the Covid-19 virus, and we need to take all steps necessary to ensure the players in the Hollywoodbets Super League and everyone involved in the broadcast thereof, remain safe during this challenging period. Because of this, we fully support the decision of SAFA to temporary suspend the league.” said Gary Rathbone, General Manager for Sport at the SABC.
Sandisiwe Bhengu, Hollywoodbets Commercial Manager also concurred; “Hollywoodbets supports putting the safety of the Hollywoodbets Super League players, coaching staff and all stakeholders first. In light of the government’s decision to shift South Africa to the adjusted level four lockdown, SAFA’s decision to suspend the league is necessary. Hollywoodbets will continue with our efforts of growing this league and uplifting the participants in the sport.”
The Hollywoodbets Super League matches will now resume on the weekend of 7 August 2021. This is to allow all those who may be infected sufficient time to quarantine, and to also afford all teams adequate time to prepare for the league’s resumption.
The South African Football Association would like to sincerely remind teams and all those involved to avoid physical gatherings and crowded spaces, and to adhere strictly to all health protocols, including social distancing, the wearing of masks, sanitising and washing of hands regularly.
Please look after yourselves and stay safe