The title sponsor of South Africa’s Premier Soccer League, ABSA, will not be renewing its sponsorship with the PSL when the contract expires at the end of this season.
According to reports, the most recent three-year deal between ABSA and the PSL was worth R140 million per season.
The bank has had a 16-year relationship with football in South Africa, 13 of which have been as sponsor of the ABSA Premiership.
The Chief Executive of the ABSA Group, Daniel Mminele, says they will be exploring alternative options to continue their relationship with the PSL.
Breaking News:
Absa and PSL Announce end of #AbsaPrem Sponsorship
Full Statement below ?? pic.twitter.com/Mz6whQ0N4Y
— Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) June 4, 2020
PSL Chairman, Irvin Khoza, says the ABSA Premiership has captured the imagination of football-loving people in South Africa and across the African Continent.
Khoza says the period between 2007 and 2020 will forever be etched in the memories of football fans as a highlight in the history of the PSL.
Meanwhile, Professional football in South Africa is expected to resume in a few weeks’ time. Football authorities have compiled a document that will be submitted to government.
The document will accompany an urgent request by the National Soccer League and the South African Football Association for clubs to resume their training. This follows an adoption of the report by the joint liaison committee of the two bodies that looked into the resumption of the current season.
At the weekend, Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa announced that contact sport could resume training under strict measures, but federations had to seek permission from the department.
