Soccer
Ajax boss slams CAF
2009-03-11 13:05
PSL general manager Ace Ncobo
|
Johannesburg - Ajax Cape Town will claim compensation from the Premier Soccer League after the late postponement of the Absa Premiership fixture against Platinum Stars on Tuesday.
But according to Ajax chairperson John Comitis the real culprit is the continental governing body, the Confederation of African Football (Caf).
“We are not blaming the PSL for the postponement but at the same time we have incurred costs preparing for the game and it is not our fault the match was postponed. I am not sure what amount is but could be in the region of R55 000,” said Comitis.
PSL general manager Ace Ncobo said that he had spoken to Ajax.
“We will assist them in any way we can when the match is rescheduled as regards the costs which will be worked out between the league and Ajax,” he added.
But the outspoken Comitis did not mince his words when he stated the real problem lay with Caf.
He explained that the PSL works to the European calendar while the rest of Africa play their season from February to October." It works for us in respect of transfers to overseas clubs and in other instances but it disadvantages PSL clubs playing in Caf competitions in that we are unable to register players after December and Caf fixtures disrupt out domestic season.”
Comitis said that Caf issue their Champions League and Confederation Cup fixtures in November and do not take the South Africa season into consideration.
“Let’s be frank, 80% of the domestic leagues in Africa are in shambles. South Africa is the most professional run with millions of rands being pumped into the game here. I think they are over- opinioned people at Caf who think they can tell leagues like the PSL when we should play. We need better administrators to run Caf and work out a fixture and registration programme that suits us all and is fair to all countries," said Comitis.
"The fact our season runs from August to May should means Caf should give us dispensation to register players we sign in the January transfer window. PSL clubs buy and sell players in January and at this stage we have only one keeper registered with Caf in Andr Petim. One is injured and out for six months (Sean Roberts) and the other was bust for drugs so we are in a bit of a fix when we play our opening Champions League fixture on Saturday.”
Comitis said with the right people driving the African Champions League, the competition could rival the highly successful European Champions League.
Said Comitis: “If you phone Uefa (European controlling body) today they will give you dates for next season’s Champions League fixtures. It does not happen that way with Caf.”
Ajax play Zimbabwean champions Monomotapa at Boland on Saturday in their first round, first leg clash on Saturday. Kick-off is at 16:00.