SuperSport United head coach Gavin Hunt was set to mark a significant milestone last Sunday, as he prepared to oversee his 1,000th game as a head coach in the PSL. However, the match was abruptly halted at halftime due to load shedding, disrupting what was meant to be a celebratory occasion for the experienced coach.
Now, SuperSport United may face repercussions from the PSL for the postponed fixture. According to league regulations, all home teams in the Betway Premiership are required to have backup power solutions to prevent interruptions like power outages during matches.
The PSL has made it clear that if a match is interrupted by load shedding, it must be resumed within 48 hours. Since this has not yet occurred, SuperSport United faces potential penalties, and the situation is quickly overshadowing Hunt’s historic achievement.
Failure to Provide a Generator
PSL COO Ronnie Schloss has confirmed that SuperSport United violated the league’s regulations by not having a backup generator at their stadium. “There was load shedding, and the lights came on and off a few times. There is no generator at the stadium,” Schloss explained, according to TimesLIVE.
Under PSL rules, it is compulsory for all stadiums to have generators in place to avoid relying on Eskom’s unstable power supply. Municipalities have installed generators in stadiums across the country, including in KwaZulu-Natal and Cape Town, making this oversight even more notable.
Potential Disciplinary Action for SuperSport United
SuperSport United could face disciplinary action for not adhering to the PSL’s compliance manual. If found guilty, they may be forced to forfeit the match, handing all three points to their opponents, Golden Arrows.
This situation is especially disappointing for Gavin Hunt, a coach with four league titles to his name (three with SuperSport United and one with Bidvest Wits). His landmark game is now at risk of ending in disappointment, which further highlights the ongoing administrative struggles many PSL teams face.
A Pattern of Issues in the PSL
This is not the first time load shedding has affected a PSL match. Just weeks earlier, a game between Chippa United and Magesi FC was also called off due to load shedding, raising questions about how clubs are handling this recurring issue.
Should the Match Be Forfeited?
With the PSL’s clear regulations in place, Golden Arrows are likely to be awarded three points from the match. But is this a fair outcome for Gavin Hunt’s milestone game? The decision now lies in the hands of the disciplinary committee, and fans are left wondering if this unfortunate interruption will lead to an unsatisfactory conclusion for SuperSport United.
