AFTER EXTRAORDINARY MEET: 16-TEAM LEAGUE PROPOSAL DEFERRED

MBABANE – There are a few loose ends to be tied up before the 16-team Premier League proposal is considered.

In the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) Extraordinary Meeting at Sigwaca House in Mbabane yesterday, the proposal was not approved - at least for now. The PLE Board of Governors (BoGs) has resolved to establish a committee to assess its feasibility. Late last month, it was reported that there was a proposal to increase the number of teams in the top-tier league from 14 to 16.

A second proposal also wished for the conversion of the National First Division (NFD) into a development league. These proposals were the first items the BoGs discussed yesterday, among other agenda items. Raised under matters arising, the meeting resolved that research was required before it could be executed. According to a well-placed source, as members of the media were not allowed inside, the outgoing PLE executive committee (Exco) was tasked with appointing a committee to work on it. “The Exco is expected to appoint the 16 teams committee. This committee will examine the viability of 16 teams, such as when it can start, how it could be implemented and how it would be financed,” the source said. 

Regarding changes in the lower league, the source further revealed  the NFD’s proposal to implement an Under-23s rule next season was approved. However, it is still to be finalised, with the Exco working on the final proposal concerning the number of Under-23 players per team. Previously, when reports leaked, it was also said the proposal sought to limit the number of senior and international players to three in the NFD. 

Meanwhile, PLE Chairperson Mark Carmichael, interviewed shortly after the meeting, said nothing had changed regarding relegation in the top-tier and lower divisions. “The executive was tasked with checking the feasibility of a 16-team league, and we will meet  to discuss it. We will have a workshop to discuss most of the things that were on the agenda and also the feasibility of the NFD league becoming a developmental league of Under-23s,” the Denver Sundowns boss said. 

Viability

He mentioned that the viability of sponsorship for such a developmental league would also be considered. The chairperson further emphasised that there were no changes for now, as the season was expected to end soon. He said as long as there was no final agreement, two teams would  be relegated to the lower division, while a quartet will also be relegated from the NFD to regional football. 

On another note, the source said that the meeting decided on the formation of a marketing committee. This committee will work on the season tickets proposals, which will provide the clubs with E500 000 each per season. Meanwhile, NFD teams will receive E300 000 each.

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