SHOULD PLE CONSIDER DECLARING SEASON NULL & VOID?

Sports Editor

With the numbers of people who have tested positive to the novel coronavirus seemingly on the rise with each passing day, a sideshow has since developed on the football arena on social media platforms.

One section believes the 2019/2020 season should be declared null and void.
Others are of the view that it is too early to consider that option, a wait-and-see option should be exercised.
When the EswatiniBank Cup quarter-final games were abruptly suspended on Friday, March 13, it was the start of an unprecedented football drought never seen in history.

Five days later, the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE), after a meeting with the Board of Governors, took the decision to suspend all activities at least until May 20. But indications are that, the suspension could be prolonged as the country suddenly feels the real and full effects of the greatest human tragedy in the 21st Century.

The Eswatini Football Association (EFA) has made it succinctly that they will be guided by government’s position on COVID-19. But what happens to the 2019/2020 season under the current circumstances. Before the season was suspended, there were eight league games remaining and the EswatiniBank Cup had just entered its quarterfinal stage.
Sports Editor, LWAZI DLAMINI, in his series of articles, looks at the pros and cons of the debate and gives his verdict.

THE PRONS:

Given the prevailing scenario, which is beyond human nature and is not of anybody’s making, those who are calling for the season to be declared null and void are justified to say so.

This would mean, there will be no winners, no relegation and promotion on both premier league and national first division and subsequently this could trickle down to all regional leagues.

This would mean the 2019/2020 season is voided.
Basically meaning it was never played as it were.
The new season 2020/2021 would start on a new slate.

The current top team, Young Buffaloes, would feel the space for the CAF Champions League while the winners of the Ingwenyama Cup Green Mamba could be given the ticket to take part in the CAF Confederations Cup, which is normally handed to the winners of the EswatiniBank Cup. Of course Young Buffaloes, eight points ahead of second placed Mbabane Swallows, would feel hard done.
So are the three promotion-chasing teams in the National First Division, Tambankulu Callies, Madlenya FC and Tinyosi FC. 

THE CONS:

This is where the majority are – on the wait-and-see bracket.
These people believe the season should be played to the end, whatever it takes. Even if it means playing in empty stadiums, as long as everybody gets to finish the season so that we know who are the winners, losers and who gets promoted and who gets relegated.
They feel it would be grossly unfair to void the season because some teams had already done enough to win their respective leagues and would gain promotion to the next bigger stage.

There is the financial aspect which comes with promotion and having to go back and play another full season trying to gain promotion would not just be taxing but it would be financially draining.
For a team like Young Buffaloes, winners of the first round carrot of E350 000, the E900 000 first prize cheque would come in handy if they finish the season on top.

For Tambankulu Callies, long time leaders of the first division, winning promotion and the first prize cheque would be invaluable.

THE VERDICT:
Given both scenarios, there is no doubt, in all fairness, the season has to be played to the end.
It doesn’t matter how long the wait will take and if it calls for games to be played in empty venues, let it be.

Voiding the season would create a lot of chaos, crisis and confusion that will affect all leagues around the country, not just the premier league.
Voiding the season will also see inane calls of increasing the league to 16 teams, resurfacing as others seek to keep their premier league and national first division status yet we are all aware this is financially impossible.

Perhaps, at this point, it would be prudent for the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) to keep their members (teams) informed of tentative scenarios in the event the suspension period of May 20 elapses as it seems it would be the case.

The PLE should not wait until that day arrives but should be pro-active of what would be the possible scenarios that could salvage the 2019/2020 season.
This is when chairman, Peter ‘Touch’ Magagula and his men in the Executive Committee have to show their hand in leadership. I think it’s time the PLE think on its feet.

These are abnormal times and circumstances.
Put your thinking caps on gentlemen!

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