PSL chairman Irvin Khoza has confirmed the start date of the 2020/21 domestic season.
Khoza has announced that 2020/21 season is set to kick off on October 17 with the MTN8 quarter-finals, with the opening rounds of the DStv Premiership set to commence on October 24.
NEWS: Pitso offered Al Ahly job
The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic will see a delayed start of the new season, following the late completion of the 2019/20 campaign, for which Mamelodi Sundowns were crowned champions.
Though a previous date of 9 October was initially issued by the League, FIFA has retained October 7-15 as an international week, and this has forced the shift by a further week.
While October 17 has been pencilled in, The Iron Duke noted that government approval is still required as the PSL is hoping to renounce the costly measure of the 'bio-bubble'.
"All this was done in making sure that we balance things, as we speak now, we're still waiting for the directives from government," said Khoza in a press briefing on Wednesday.
NEWS: Motsepe calls emergency meeting
"Because we know we're working under their rules and regulations of the bubble, now the reality is different and fans are now moving, with inter-provincial movement having been okayed.
"So, before we do the final planning, we're hoping that we get the new directives governing [sport] going forward, because we cannot be in the bubble again.
"It cost us almost R80-90-million rands to be in the bubble, so we're waiting for those directives."
With DStv set to officially take its place as the new headline sponsor, it has further been confirmed that the Premiership winners will continue to walk away with R15-million prize money for the forseeable future.
READ: Believe you me... I'm not scared - Hunt
Check out these PSL high-profile done deals ahead of the 2020/21 season
