JOHANNESBURG – Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates are used to being hauled to the Premier Soccer League’s disciplinary committee due to fan violence.
On Saturday, with Chiefs losing 2-0 against Free State Stars in the Nedbank Cup semi-final in Durban, fans invaded the pitch and caused mayhem and destruction.
Some of the punishment that has been handed to the Soweto giants in the past has either been too lenient or inconsistent, which is why the league has failed in their attempts to stamp out such acts of hooliganism. Here are some examples:
Orlando Pirates
Against SuperSport United at Moses Mabhida Stadium on 24 June 2017:
A section of Pirates fans invaded the pitch during their 4-1 loss to Matsatsatsa in the Nedbank Cup final. One fan went straight to the bench to ask them what was happening while another went to Siyabonga Mpontshane with violent intentions, only to backtrack once he stood face-to-face with the burly goalkeeper. No one was punished for that.
Against Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus on 11 February 2017
It took the PSL more than a year to punish one of the worst acts of hooliganism in the South African game despite there being video and photographic evidence of Pirates fans running amok at Loftus in the 6-0 drubbing they suffered at the hands of the Brazilians.
A number of fans sustained injuries, including children, while broadcasters’ and photographers’ equipment was destroyed. The PSL Disciplinary Committee (DC) ordered Pirates to play only one match behind closed doors, suspending the second game for a period of two years.
Against Bloemfontein Celtic at Orlando Stadium 27 February 2016
A section of Pirates supporters clashed with Bloemfontein Celtic fans in a league encounter at Orlando Stadium. Phunya Sele Sele fans, disgruntled at the way Max Tshabalala was running the club, started the squabble that led to a mini-brawl by throwing missiles at Pirates players.
The PSL condemned the violence and promised to take action on the matter, but they never did.
Read: Kaizer Chiefs charged by PSL for stadium violence
Kaizer Chiefs
Against Chippa United at FNB Stadium on 7 April
Amakhosi supporters threw missiles onto the pitch after their 3-0 loss to Chippa United. They also tried to destroy the fence that protects one of the stands. As if that wasn’t enough, those fans waited for the club’s bus to leave the stadium with violent intentions.
The PSL DC fined the club a measly R50 000, suspending R200 000 for two years granted that Amakhosi aren’t found guilty of a similar offence. The club is now likely to pay that R200 000 after fans invaded the pitch at Moses Mabhida Stadium and beat up one security guard to a point that they were unconscious.
Against AmaZulu at Kings Park on 5 December 2007
A section of disgruntled Chiefs followers pelted referee Buyile Gqubile after their 1-1 draw with AmaZulu and then shifted their attentions to their own technical team. The club was fined R120 000 of which half was suspended for a year.
Chiefs fans clash with security at the FNB Stadium. Photo: Itumeleng English/African News Agency (ANA)
Against Bloemfontein Celtic at FNB Stadium on 20 August 2005
Chiefs fans caused damage worth R100 000 at FNB Stadium after a section of their fans uprooted more than 5 000 chairs and threw bottles onto the pitch after their 2-1 loss to Bloemfontein Celtic in the Supa8 that is now known as the MTN8. Chiefs were ordered to play three matches behind closed doors, with one game suspended for a year.
Since they had R45 000 suspended from a previous offence, they were fined a total of R145 000, with R100 000 being the amount for this latest incident.