PSL fixtures released

Johannebsurg - The Premier Soccer League (PSL) released the fixtures for the 2013/14 Absa Premiership season on Friday, despite the ongoing arbitration process involving National First Division (NFD) teams.

Although the arbitration matter, which will decide which clubs will be the NFD winners and playoff winners, has not yet been completed, the rest of the fixtures were confirmed.

The names of the clubs affected by the arbitration process are not yet reflected in the fixtures.

The PSL said on Monday it would make no further comment on the arbitration process.

In a statement, PSL general manager of football Derek Blanckensee made no mention of the complications the arbitration process could pose.

With the matter unresolved, and due to resume on Tuesday, Blackensee said the release of the fixtures was for the fans.

"We have managed to release fixtures three weeks before kickoff of the 2013/14 season, and this is important because it will enable football fans to plan accordingly for August and September," said Blanckensee.

"I know a lot of people are looking forward to what we are sure will be an exciting 2013/14 Absa Premiership season."

Blanckensee said the PSL had had to accommodate Orlando Pirates, who advanced to the CAF Champions League Group stages this year following a gutsy display in the knockout phase.

The Premiership campaign will kick-off on August 2 with the champions Kaizer Chiefs visiting the playoff winners, once they are confirmed.

The first two weeks of fixtures:

Week 1

SuperSport United vs Free State Stars
Bloemfontein Celtic vs Mamelodi Sundowns
Golden Arrows vs Ajax Cape Town
Orlando Pirates vs AmaZulu
Playoff winner vs Kaizer Chiefs
Platinum Stars vs Wits
Moroka Swallows vs University of Pretoria
Maritzburg United vs NFD winner

Week 2

Chiefs vs Swallows
Ajax vs Pirates
Wits vs Arrows
Sundowns vs Platinum Stars
NFD winner vs Celtic
Free State Stars vs Maritzburg
University of Pretoria vs SuperSport
AmaZulu vs Playoff winner