Key Takeaways
- • The South African Football Players' Union (SAFPU) is close to finalising an agreement to establish a pension fund scheme for Premier Soccer League (PSL) players, according to welfare coordinator Brent Carelse speaking to SABC Sport.
- • Carelse described the initiative as long overdue and said it would "change South African football for the better", while urging players to treat the scheme as a long-term investment.
- • Pension provision emerged as a recurring question from players during SAFPU visits to clubs, alongside other welfare matters.
- • SAFPU is also partnering with experts on mental health support for PSL players, a subject Carelse described as previously taboo in sport.
Summary
The South African Football Players' Union (SAFPU) is close to finalising an agreement to establish a pension fund scheme for Premier Soccer League (PSL) players, Brent Carelse told SABC Sport. Carelse, a former Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana midfielder, serves as SAFPU's welfare coordinator and has been involved in efforts to help players plan for life after football.
Carelse said the scheme is long overdue, recalling that it was something players yearned for during his own playing career. "We are very close to setting up a pension fund for professional footballers in the country and this is going to change South African football for the better," he said. He urged footballers to view the scheme as a long-term investment.
According to Carelse, the issue has increasingly come up during SAFPU's visits to clubs, with players raising questions about pension provisions alongside other welfare concerns. The article does not specify the fund's size, administrators, contribution structure or a timeline for launch.
The union is also working on welfare beyond finances. Carelse confirmed that SAFPU has partnered with experts to assist PSL players with mental health, noting that the subject was once taboo in sport. He said players face intense pressure to perform week in and week out while supporting families and meeting obligations such as 'black tax'.
Carelse said the scheme is long overdue, recalling that it was something players yearned for during his own playing career. "We are very close to setting up a pension fund for professional footballers in the country and this is going to change South African football for the better," he said. He urged footballers to view the scheme as a long-term investment.
According to Carelse, the issue has increasingly come up during SAFPU's visits to clubs, with players raising questions about pension provisions alongside other welfare concerns. The article does not specify the fund's size, administrators, contribution structure or a timeline for launch.
The union is also working on welfare beyond finances. Carelse confirmed that SAFPU has partnered with experts to assist PSL players with mental health, noting that the subject was once taboo in sport. He said players face intense pressure to perform week in and week out while supporting families and meeting obligations such as 'black tax'.
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