SAFA irons out emblem woes

Johannesburg - The South African Football Association (Safa) announced on Friday that, following consultation with stakeholders, Protea badges would be made available to the public by the end of next week.

The announcement comes after much speculation around the lack of a Protea badge on the Bafana replica jersey.

"All supporters who now wish to wear the Protea on their Bafana replica jerseys can do so by purchasing an iron-on Protea badge, at the recommended retail price from R20, from retailers stocking genuine Bafana replica jerseys," said Safa chief executive Leslie Sedibe.

The iron-on embroided badge was put forward as the best solution to resolve the issue, and Safa said in a statement they believed having the Protea emblem on the replica jerseys would go a long way in consolidating support for the national team.

"We believe all South Africans would want to wear their jerseys with pride during the 2010 Fifa World Cup," Sedibe said.

"The Bafana replica jersey is the one thing that distinguishes us from the rest of the world and it is therefore important that our identity is authentic."