The South African Football Association (Safa) has finally suspended all football activities over the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus disease insisting it is following the government order prohibiting gatherings of more than 100 people.
This means the country's top-flight league Premier Soccer League (PSL) and all the lower leagues have been temporarily called off.
The decision falls in line with SAFA's decision last week that it will take guidelines from the government on whether to suspend all football activities in the country or not.
The local South Africa football matches went ahead last week as planned despite several cases of coronavirus confirmed in the country.
SAFA had been under pressure to suspend all football activities in the country in the wake of the disease that has led to the cancellation of several football leagues across the globe.
Several sporting events have been affected around the world due to the coronavirus epidemic but the Premier Soccer League (PSL) said matches will continue as usual.
Following the decision of government on Monday to declare the coronavirus disease a national disaster and outlaw gatherings of more than 100 people, SAFA has decided to pull the plug on the matches.
"The State President, the Hon., Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa, has declared the coronavirus disease a national disaster in terms of the Disaster Management Act. In his announcement, he outlined measures that will be taken to minimize the risk of spreading the virus by limiting contact amongst groups of people. As a result, gatherings of more than 100 people are prohibited,'' acting SAFA chief executive Gay Mokoena said in a statement on Monday.
"This measure has a direct impact on all our football activities, particularly matches as most if not all our matches are attended by more than 100 people. Some of the football authorities elsewhere in the world have taken measures such as playing matches in “empty” stadiums without spectators.
"This response has not proven to be effective in minimizing the spread of the virus. In Europe, some players who were participating in matches “behind closed doors” have recently been found to be positive. Therefore, we do not believe that the practice of playing behind closed doors is effective.
"Following on our statement of last week in which we had indicated that it was not necessary to postpone or suspend the domestic football program at that stage, circumstances have changed drastically for the worse. Government has called on all stakeholders to take all necessary steps to prevent the spread of the virus.
"On behalf of the National Executive Committee of the South African Football Association (SAFA), all members of SAFA are advised to suspend and/or postpone all football matches and football events that are attended by more 100 people in the country until further notice.
"We will be in contact with the Health Authorities and we will be reviewing the situation on an on-going basis. Members will be advised on a continuous basis accordingly. This is our effort to promote the health and safety of all our members including players, officials, sponsors and staff."
The Confederation of African Football announced on Friday that they had postponed all of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers for match days three and four.
South Africa was set to take on Sao Tome on March 27 in Johannesburg but the match has been called off.