The recent blockbuster emergence of disciplinary issues related to players reporting for duty under the influence of alcohol at PSL clubs is a well-known common problem.
The recent cases have been related to Mamelodi Sundowns where Andile Jali and Sipho Mbule were alleged to have reported for duty under the influence of alcohol.
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Recently Daniel Cardoso spoke out about how this was an issue during his time at Kaizer Chiefs where Dumisani Zuma suffered drinking and driving troubles.
Former Orlando Pirates keeper Brighton Mhlongo has spoken out at length about alcohol matters during his time at the club just like Innocent Mdledle, Junior Khanye, Jabu Mahlangu, Sipho Nunens, Lerato Chabangu, and Mbulelo Mabizela have also added their voices on this subject of the 'bottle'.
It is a tradition to drink in this country
"This is a societal issue and these players come from backgrounds that are affected by this alcohol matter," says one former club official.
"It is a tradition to drink in this country and the real problem at hand is that even professional players do it with the kind of recklessness associated with people who are not sportsmen.
"Alcohol is a common issue, and it doesn't matter whether you are Chiefs, Pirates or Sundowns.
"You can even be Chippa United or Baroka but you will always have internal issues related to alcohol.
"It is nothing new to hear of players drinking into the early hours and arriving at training in the morning still reeking of alcohol.
"This issue of alcohol is a problem because it affects sportsmen.
"Clubs and the agents of players are always trying to either hide these alcohol related cases or do damage control.
"It is understandable to acknowledge that players are human, but they need to do better as people in the public eye.
"Players are human like all of us but those that are smart know when to drink and where unlike those that are entitled who don't respect the profession and its demands.
"You even have the right to suspect drugs because you can tell when someone arrives at training looking strange.
"We once had a popular former player who we even suspected was doing drugs because of his behaviour.
"You will be surprised to hear that there are players who are worse than Jabu, OJ or Lerato but are not as popular," says the official.
Another official who has worked with several PSL clubs also agrees that alcohol is a problem but clubs at times choose to sweep matters under the carpet to protect their image.
Last year players at Sekhukhune United were reported to have arrived at training under the influence of alcohol while just about every club has fought this 'devil'.
"A sizeable amount of work that administrators and coaches do behind the scenes is related to handling matters related to players who drink.
"The way these guys drink is disturbing, and it is for that reason that breathalysers are even used at some clubs.
"There are players whose lifestyle is known to be such a mess that it is always expected that they will drink heavily with every chance they get.
"Maybe it is the fact with salaries that some of them earn they always have extra money for doing such.
"Alcohol abuse is a known problem with all PSL clubs because there are players who drink and at times do so in a way that is not acceptable for a sportsman.
"Maybe the issue is also to do with the amount of spare time that they have.
"We have had to try and help certain players with regards to how they handle alcohol, but they are rarely interested.
"Clubs constantly find themselves having internal DC hearings and for the sake of protecting the club image sweep these cases under the carpet," says another official.
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