PLE TEAMS TO TEST FOR COVID-19 AGAIN

MBABANE – It’s more financial trouble for Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) teams. 

The 28 teams playing in the MTN Premier League and the MTN National Fist Division will have to undergo the COVID-19 PCR testing before they resume action in a fortnight’s time. The matches are scheduled to return on the weekend of January 16 and 17, 2021.

Each team is expected to spend about E20 000 to test about 25 players as each test costs E850 and the fee could increase if the technical bench is also tested.

A source close to the matter said only players that will produce negative COVID-19 results dated this year will be allowed to play. The PLE put on hold week three and four to give way for the Incwala main day and the COVID-19 testing.

postponed

The second testing came after some teams’ players tested positive during the first round and two matches were postponed due to some COVID-19 related cases. Some players raised safety concerns as far as the COVID-19 pandemic is concerned. PLE Chief Operations Officer (COO) Pat Vilakati said they were still working on the logistics and he requested that teams follow all the COVID-19 procedures. “We gave the teams the break to also monitor the COVID-19 situation and we believe that they will rightly do so during this time,” he said.

The PLE requested teams that during the extended break, they must monitor, assess players and ensure that the resumption is not delayed by cases of COVID-19.

preferred

Some teams, who preferred to comment on condition of anonymity, said they were ready to do the test again for the safety of their players and the nation but it was expensive while they are struggling financially.

The teams said the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) and the PLE are not coming out clear as to who must do the testing. Some teams indicated that they could not afford to do the test as it was expensive and outside of their budget.

EFA and the government assisted the teams when doing the first COVID-19 test early November before the resumption of the games on December 12, 2020.

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