Publications
Partners
Johannesburg - The Premier Soccer League (PSL) says it was its own decision not to allow Ajax Cape Town to play Liverpool FC on May 21.
There had been speculation that sponsors Nedbank and Absa had interfered with the permission for Cape Town to host the English Premier League side.
"The Premier Soccer League (PSL) is putting it on record that its sponsors Nedbank and Absa had no hand in the decision by the PSL to disallow permission for the Ajax Cape Town and Liverpool match to be held on May 21 as requested," said the PSL in a statement.
PSL chairperson Irvin Khoza said the hosting of the Liverpool game would have benefited football locally.
"The decision was not arrived at easily as the playing of Liverpool by Ajax was in all other respects good for the PSL and football in South Africa. This is because of the stature of Liverpool and the support it commands in our country and worldwide," said the PSL.
A Joint Liaison Committee had been set up between the PSL and the SA Football Association (SAFA) but the earliest date the fixture could be staged was May 26.
The date was unsuitable to Ajax as Liverpool was not available on any other day than May 21.
"The management of the PSL disallowed the permission for the match to be held on 21 May 2013 as this date occurred before the completion of the PSL season," said the PSL.
