THE Premier Soccer League has all but concluded its schedule for the 2014-15 season, with the fixture list expected to be released as early as today or before the end of the week.

The World Cup in Brazil, which ended on Sunday, as well as clubs having to pick alternative home venues led to the slight delay, said PSL general manager Derek Blanckensee.

Last week the league confirmed the quarterfinals of the MTN8, essentially the season opener, will kick off in the first weekend of next month and that tickets were already on sale.

The Absa Premiership will then follow a week later, with a clash between champions Mamelodi Sundowns and Maritzburg United likely to kick-start the campaign on August 8.

"We had worked around a lot of logistics already and I would say the World Cup and probably just having to wait for the clubs to choose their alternative venues is what held us back a bit," Blanckensee said.

"Even when we felt we could make the fixtures public, we thought it was best to wait until after the World Cup."

Blanckensee and his staff prepared early, concluding the PSL fixture list for the first seven days before the World Cup opener between Brazil and Croatia.

He stated then that although last season's scheduling nightmare would not be avoided, it would be easier this time around to plan for South African teams taking part in CAF tournaments after receiving dates in advance from Africa's football governing body.

The Brazilians and runners-up Kaizer Chiefs will play in the African Champions League, while Orlando Pirates and Bidvest Wits will feature in the Confederations Cup.

Both competitions begin in February, but could be delayed because of next year's Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco.

"We've made provision for the Nations Cup because there will be a break from early on in January," said Blanckensee