Publications
Partners
Johannesburg - Acting Bafana team manager and SAFA director of planning and development Dennis Mumble has revealed that SAFA might introduce a possible rule that would make it harder for Premier Soccer League clubs to sign foreign players.
It is argued world-wide that a lack of control regarding foreigners directly contributes to a weaker national team with fewer places available for local talent to develop.
Mumble told Business Day: "Everybody is complaining that the standard of South African football is not as high as it should be and this is mainly because of the huge number of mediocre foreign players who have been allowed to populate our leagues.
"At the moment, clubs can just sign foreign players as they wish because there are no regulations that demand their quality be tested before they are allowed to play in this country.
"These rules have helped improve the standard of the English game because the players that have gone there over the years have been presumed to be better than what they have in the country.
"What we know is that the current situation cannot be allowed to continue as it is here in SA. This is a service to our national team and it is something that we have to control urgently."
PSL CEO Kjetil Siem agrees with the plans but will meet with SAFA before revealing any potential plans.
He added: "In principle, I totally agree that soccer bodies in SA must protect local players.
"But we were already headed in the same route after we announced that, as from next season, all national first division clubs would be obligated to play a minimum of five South African-born under-23 players in each and every league and cup match. We have a meeting with SAFA this week and I suppose they will inform us about these plans when we meet them.
"That is why I do not want to make a political statement before actually meeting them."
It is argued world-wide that a lack of control regarding foreigners directly contributes to a weaker national team with fewer places available for local talent to develop.
Mumble told Business Day: "Everybody is complaining that the standard of South African football is not as high as it should be and this is mainly because of the huge number of mediocre foreign players who have been allowed to populate our leagues.
"At the moment, clubs can just sign foreign players as they wish because there are no regulations that demand their quality be tested before they are allowed to play in this country.
"These rules have helped improve the standard of the English game because the players that have gone there over the years have been presumed to be better than what they have in the country.
"What we know is that the current situation cannot be allowed to continue as it is here in SA. This is a service to our national team and it is something that we have to control urgently."
PSL CEO Kjetil Siem agrees with the plans but will meet with SAFA before revealing any potential plans.
He added: "In principle, I totally agree that soccer bodies in SA must protect local players.
"But we were already headed in the same route after we announced that, as from next season, all national first division clubs would be obligated to play a minimum of five South African-born under-23 players in each and every league and cup match. We have a meeting with SAFA this week and I suppose they will inform us about these plans when we meet them.
"That is why I do not want to make a political statement before actually meeting them."
