Ravaged Kaizer Chiefs Will Not Honour Golden Arrows Fixture: 'Covid Is Not a Loaf of Bread'

• The total number of players and staff who have tested positive for Covid-19 at Kaizer Chiefs has climbed to 36
• The Phefeni club has since taken the decision not to honour the league date with Golden Arrows
• Regardless, Cape Town City chairman John Comitis said the club ought to "come to its senses"
• Unhappy fans have headed to social media to criticise Comitis on his stance amid Chiefs' current plight

Kaizer Chiefs may be going through a disruptive phase, making it difficult to be match ready ahead of crucial DStv Premiership encounters, but not all seem to adopt a sympathetic stance.

Speaking on the Glamour Boys' current predicament after five more players tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday, bringing the total number of players and staff infected to 36, Cape Town City chairman John Comitis imparted some strong words.

TimesLIVE reported that in light of the unfolding events at the Naturena-based club, Comitis said he hopes the Soweto giants come to their senses ahead of the club's fixture against Golden Arrows at Princess Magogo Stadium on Wednesday.

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Contrary to the views expressed by Comitis, Briefly News has since learnt that the Phefeni Glamour Boys, after earlier failing to honour their home fixture against City due to the same reason on Saturday, will no longer make the trip to KwaZulu-Natal to play Golden Arrows.

Decision informed by lengthy consultations

According to IOL, there were discussions between club management and the medical department regarding the ongoing outbreak, justifying its decision not to honour the fixture following the lengthy consultations.

“No one is happy about the situation. It isn’t what football’s about,” said Comitis, reacting to not receiving notification of the postponement of Saturday’s fixture from the Premier Soccer League (PSL).

“The league has rules and it issued a letter to Chiefs before the game noting their request for a postponement had not been granted. It’s [not going to be] business as usual, and we as City have to react accordingly," said Comitis.

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Vocal fans have their say

Locals on social media were critical of Comitis' stance and levelled heavy criticism against the league executive committee (exco) member. Briefly News camped inside the comments section as the reactions around the subject flooded the timeline.

Below are some of the loudest reactions from the football-loving public.

@Sibusiso SE Gumede wrote:

"I'm struggling to understand Comitis stance on the matter. Especially from him, an EXCO Member. Kaizer Chiefs would have been punished or it would be punished for flouting the covid-19 protocols. Am I missing something?"

@Lebohang Ximba said:

"Disadvantages of having club bosses running the league."

@Chris Mabaso added:

"He must come to his senses and focus on his team and leave chiefs alone."

@Tshinanne Tshiololi mentioned:

"Worst case scenario they go to the game only to find that the players testing negative a just asymptomatic and spread the virus to the other camp. Is that the risk worth taking?"

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@Nare Mokobane remarked:

"There are cleaners and security guards at Naturena. I'm sure 11 of them can make a team and wear the jersey. Even if it was the real players they'd still lose."

PSL prosecutor resigns amid gathering legal storm

In other news, Briefly News recently reported that amid another legal thunderstorm that is brewing, veteran PSL prosecutor Nande Becker has unexpectedly resigned from his position with immediate effect.

Becker had served in this role within the organisation since 2013, presiding over various legal furores which have become the mainstay of local club football. The latest saga was that of Chiefs not honouring a fixture against City on Saturday.

The Amakhosi had requested that the PSL postpone all the team's fixtures in December, a matter the governing body had yet to rule on. The PSL had not released a statement at the time of this article's publication. Social media users had various theories, from reasonable to absurd and sinister.

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A Twitter user, @Zolani Zenzile said:

"Well done to Chiefs for saving lives. It would have been disastrous had they attended the game. People's lives are more important than 3 points."