THE much anticipated top-of-the-table Absa Premiership clash between Bidvest Wits and league leaders Orlando Pirates was called off an hour before kick-off on Saturday night, with police fearing further student unrest.
For a little over a week, Wits University students have been protesting against the increase of tuition fees in another instalment of the #FeesMustFall campaign that made headlines all over the world last year, and it appears they were targeting this fixture to advance their targets.
Students were not allowed into the Bidvest Stadium, a sold out venue, on the night but attempted to force their way in, leaving the PSL - in consultation with the police - to postpone the fixture to a date yet to be confirmed. The league said in a statement: "Following consultation with the police and the two clubs, and in light of the student unrest at the Wits University campus, the Premier Soccer League has taken a decision to call off tonight’s scheduled Absa Premiership fixture between Bidvest Wits and Orlando Pirates.”
Acting CEO Mato Madlala then added: "“We have been constantly monitoring the situation at the Wits University campus because of the student activism there. In the last few days, we held several discussions with the home club and security clusters involved on the situation. Following consultation with the police today, we have therefore taken a decision to call off the game for safety and security concerns.”
The PSL will now have to find a date in which to squeeze in this massive fixture in the coming weeks.
Follow Mazola Molefe on Twitter@superjourno