Football league: Interview with SFF president Elvis Chetty |07 April 2020

‘We will assist clubs during these difficult times,’ says SFF president

Seychelles Football Federation president Elvis Chetty has revealed in an exclusive interview that they plan to assist local clubs affected by the coronavirus pandemic which has seen football suspended indefinitely.

Speaking to Sports NATION, Seychelles Football Federation (SFF) president Chetty said they are devising a plan which they will put before their member clubs in the coming weeks.

“We have agreed to assist our clubs as we are aware of the cost of operation for the clubs and as this is part of our mandate where we help in football development and therefore we will provide our support for their local players but I want to make it clear that this help will not be for the clubs’ foreign contingent or in other words their professional players,” revealed president Chetty.

The SFF president added that however they have asked all clubs who have foreign players that they have to make available their necessary documents where the federation will engage with the government to see where they can be assisted and noted that they are still awaiting their response though some have already provided the federation with these information.

Chetty went on to talk on how he foresees things proceeding after the football season was suspended abruptly after being advised by the department of health in view of the coronavirus pandemic which has gripped the country and brought it to semi lockdown with all sporting activities brought to a halt.

“We are still awaiting the latest advice from the health department and also to see if any new legislation are put in place for us to consider when and if we are to re-start the league and other competitions so at the moment, we are keeping all our options open but our next move however will depend solely on advice we get as our priority in these difficult times is to safeguard the health and welfare of our players, fans and the whole football family,” claimed chairman Chetty.

Nonetheless, Mr Chetty said that he is envisaging meeting club members in the coming weeks so as to discuss pertinent issues and to consult in order to come up with a consensus on the way forward.

“We plan to engage with the health department soon as we await the first period set for this crisis to elapse and then we will meet our members in the next fortnight so that we can discuss the present situation as there are many issues to put forward such as if to continue behind closed doors or cancel the league altogether and how we restart next season are matters that must be tabled for discussion,” stated chairman Chetty.

Nevertheless the SFF president was adamant on the contested matter of relegation for next season as some football fans and clubs are at loggerheads if the league reduction should come into place next season and also if the current last placed team in the top flight should be relegated automatically with non-appearance of Victoria City.

“According to our regulation, it is clear that we need to have 12 teams in the Premier League for next season but with the suspension of Victoria City who in many ways disrupted the league programme, it will mean that the 11th placed team in the top flight will contest the playoff against the second placed team in Championship One League whereas the champions in the Champions One league will be automatically promoted to the Premier League,” related chairman Chetty.

As for the coming seasons, there is much debate if the number of teams in the top flight should be reduced to 10 but this is a matter to be discussed at length with the club members, chairman Chetty admitted to Sports NATION.

“At the moment though our concern is completing the current season and if this suspension goes on for too long, we will have to rethink which format we will adopt for next season but for the time being, I think, health permitting, we must finish the league due to our Confederation of African Football (Caf) obligations where we will have to enroll our champions for the Champions League competition but as for the Confederation Cup, this will be a matter for reflection for our federation though it is obvious that it will not be the Airtel Cup winners as they receive a high financial reward especially as the L’UFFOI competition has been shelved and therefore cannot be considered for this competition which is reserved for the SFF Cup winners,” chairman Chetty told Sports NATION in conclusion.

R. J-L.

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