JOHANNESBURG - Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns will appear before the Premier Soccer League's disciplinary committee on March 9 for the violent scenes that erupted at Loftus Versfeld last month in an Absa Premiership match.
Angry Pirates fans invaded the pitch to vent their frustration as their club trailed the Brazilians 6-0 in what has been a disastrous season for the Buccaneers.
Those fans started by pulling out the broadcasters' cables, which led to the TV black out. They then ripped out the chairs before entering the field to charge at their own players. Both sets of players managed to escape unharmed.
Sundowns' fans stopped the Buccaneers' supporters from entering the change room, pushing them back before violence ensued. It took a police nyala and stun grenades to disperse the crowd that had overwhelmed the security personnel.
The PSL confirmed that Pirates had been charged "with contravening Rule 54 of the NSL Rules, arising from the conduct of their supporters at the match after the club’s supporters invaded the pitch, threw objects, vandalised and damaged private property during the game."
Sundowns didn't escape the league's DC. The Brazilians have been charged with failure to provide adequate security at the match. Both clubs have also been charged for the misconduct of their fans.
The last time something like this happened, at Dobsonville Stadium where Sundowns' fans invaded the pitch to attack then coach Johan Neeskens, the Brazilians were fined a record R500 000. The league also opened criminal charges against the fans who were involved in the incident.
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