Players Union to take insurance payout issue to ombud

Tiyani Wa Ka Mabasa

PSL and Orlando Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza at the PSL offices in Parktown. File photo
Image by: MOEKETSI MOTICOE

The South African Football Players Union (SAFPU) will approach the insurance ombudsman to raise and deal with concerns regarding insurance for professional players in the country.

This comes after PSL chairman Irvin Khoza revealed this week that the R4-million insurance payout for the late Senzo Meyiwa will be shared equally between Meyiwa’s family and the team he played for at the time of his death‚ Orlando Pirates.
SAFPU spokesperson Thulaganyo Gaoshubelwe confirmed on Thursday that they were approaching the insurance ombudsman in dealing with the matter.

SAFPU’s view is that the players’ families should be entitled to the full amount in the case of a payout‚ despite the fact that the clubs pay the premiums.

“We are very disappointed in the manner (in) which this thing happened. We have since resolved that we are definitely approaching the ombudsman. It cannot be possible that the players are going to find themselves in a position where they are insured and at the end of the day‚ someone takes 50%. We cannot tolerate and accept that. And that’s why we are approaching the insurance ombudsman‚” he said.

“One of the things that the league has always said was that they are doing so‚ because they are paying the premiums on behalf of these players‚” Gaoshubelwe mentioned.
“But it is the responsibility of the association and by extension the league to make sure that all professional players are insured. So you can’t insure them to also benefit out of that. Fifa says players must be insured and that’s legislated. There is nowhere Fifa say the players must insure themselves.”

Gaoshubelwe said the union will have feedback on the matter sometime next week.

PSL spokesperson Lux September said he couldn’t comment and referred TMG Sport to acting chief executive Mato Madlala‚ whose phone went unanswered. – TMG Sport