Latest news with #StanMatthews
The Citizen
07-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Matthews adamant that SuperSport academy going nowhere
'This is a moment of evolution, not disruption. Our commitment to excellence in youth development is as strong as ever, ' Matthews stated. Stan Matthews, Chief Executive Officer of SuperSport United Football Club after a match against Golden Arrows at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria on the 29 May 2025 © Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix SuperSport United CEO Stanley Matthews has moved swiftly to calm down growing concerns over the future of the club's youth academy following the sale of its Premier Soccer League status to Siwelele Football Club. No more SuperSport United senior team While the senior team will no longer compete in the Betway Premiership, Matthews has emphatically reassured parents that the United academy remains firmly in place. ALSO READ: Mamelodi Sundowns release two star players In a detailed communication addressed to parents, he stressed that their development structures will not be affected by the sale of Matsatsantsa a Pitori's PSL franchise. 'This is a moment of evolution, not disruption. Our commitment to excellence in youth development is as strong as ever, ' Matthews stated. 'I want to reassure you that our academy is secure, stable and going nowhere. Nothing fundamental will change before at least 2027.' According the statement, all existing academy player contracts will be transferred to the new entity under the same terms. However, the core structure of the academy will remain intact. Matthews confirmed that coaching and support staff will stay on while training venues will also remain the same. 'I will continue to lead the academy, as I have proudly done for the past 26 years,' he added. 'Our mission remains unwavering and that's to develop world-class talent like Ronwen Williams, Teboho o Mokoena and recently graduates like Shandre Campbell, Neo Rapoo and Ime Okon. Matthews also revealed the imminent announcement of a new international club partner which will expand opportunities for players on a global scale. The seasoned administrator also urged parents to ignore speculation circulating on social media over changes at the club. 'The academy remains safe' 'We are super excited to announce that a new top international club partner will be joining us on this journey, with further information to be shared soon,' he concluded. ALSO READ: Official: SuperSport United coach joins Orlando Pirates 'Please remember that only official club communications reflect the full and accurate picture. While social media may speculate, I personally assure you that the academy remains safe, vibrant, and full of promise.'
The Citizen
03-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
The imminent demise of SuperSport is turning PSL into a mockery
It appears that only the so-called 'big three' – Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, and Mamelodi Sundowns are financially self-sustainable. Stan Matthews, Chief Executive Officer of SuperSport United Football Club celebrates in tears with technical stuff avoiding playoff after Betway Premiership 2024/25 match against Golden Arrows at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria on the 29 May 2025 © Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix The imminent demise of SuperSport United is a sad indictment of the current situation in our domestic game. A club with such a rich history and tradition should not be facing extinction. SuperSport's unfathomable demise The ripple effects of Matsatsantsa a Pitori potentially closing its doors are unfathomable. What will happen to their renowned youth academy, which has produced some of the finest talent this country has ever seen? ALSO READ: Liverpool football star Diogo Jota dies in car crash in Spain: police The club has reportedly been sold to a consortium based in Bloemfontein. At the time of writing, the sale had not yet been officially confirmed. However, the recurring trend of selling club statuses has become a norm in the Premier Soccer League, and that is deeply concerning. This practice is rapidly turning our domestic football into a mockery. It is high time a meaningful dialogue is held about the direction we're heading as a footballing nation. Of course, the financial strain of running a professional football club is enormous. Judging by the growing list of clubs that have disappeared over the years, doesn't seem likely to improve any time soon, What exactly is contributing to this troubling trend? Is it simply poor financial management from those entrusted with running these clubs, or has the task of sustaining a football club at the highest level become financially unviable? ALSO READ: Stellies snap up NFD top goalscorer Remember Moroka Swallows, Mpumalanga Black Aces, Bloemfontein Celtic, and Bidvest Wits? These are clubs that once carried the hopes of thousands, if not millions, but they all fell to the same fate that now seemingly awaits the three-time league champions SuperSport. It appears that only the so-called 'big three' – Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, and Mamelodi Sundowns are financially self-sustainable. That in itself raises serious questions about the broader ownership model within the PSL. A German model? In Germany, the '50+1' ownership rule ensures that club members hold at least 50 percent plus one vote of the club's voting rights. This model safeguards clubs from being entirely controlled by outside investors, preserving both the heritage and democratic spirit of German clubs. Perhaps it's time we consider a similar framework within the PSL to protect clubs from vanishing without a trace. Fans are left in the wilderness when their beloved teams are sold off. If supporters had more influence in club operations, things might begin to change. We can shout from the sidelines all we want, but the truth is, the current PSL rules permit the sale of club statuses. The individuals or entities buying their way into top-flight football are not breaking any regulations. Unless the rules are changed, and the ownership structures are re-evaluated, there is no end in sight to this troubling cycle. We need urgent reforms that protect the integrity, history, and future of our football clubs. Fans, players, and stakeholders deserve transparency and sustainability. If we truly care about the growth and preservation of South African football, the selling of club statuses must be brought to an end or at the very least, strictly regulated. ASLO READ: Reported Chiefs target Okon seals move to Hannover 96 A serious conversation about ownership models, financial support, and long-term vision is not just necessary, but it's overdue. Let's not wait for another historical club to vanish before we act.
