The horrific images that have emerged from the Nedbank Cup match between Kaizer Chiefs and Free State Stars at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday have raised questions around who is to blame for the violent scenes that are plaguing South African football. DEAN WORKMAN explores.
For the second time this month, Kaizer Chiefs supporters turned to hooliganism after their 2-0 defeat to Stars in their Nedbank Cup semi-final.
The first incident took place after a 3-0 loss at the hands of Chippa United where the Amakhosi faithful pelted missiles at the players and coaching staff.
However, the harrowing images that have emerged from the second incident, which took place last night, has rocked the South African football community. As the full-time whistle was blown, fans stormed on to the pitch, attacked security guards, destroyed broadcast equipment and set parts of the stadium on fire.
One video in particular has caused outrage: a female security guard was caught on camera being attacked by the hooligans and she is now in hospital fighting for her life.
This is not the first case of this nature. On 11 February 2017, after a 6-0 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates fans invaded the pitch, causing damage to the stadium and attacking the Downs fans. It took the PSL a year to hand out their punishment.
Then on 30 July 2017, two fans were killed while another fifteen were injured during a stampede outside the FNB Stadium before the Carling Black Label Cup match between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.
Going even further back, on 11 April 2001, South Africa witnessed its worst ever sporting accident when a stampede occurred at the Ellis Park Stadium during a Soweto Derby. Despite the stadium being packed to capacity, fans tried to storm inside and the resulting stampede claimed the lives of 43 spectators.
The scenes on Saturday evening are worryingly becoming a regular occurrence in South African football. When will the PSL, the clubs and stadium management stand up and take responsibility for these incidents or maybe more importantly, put steps in place to make sure it never happens again?
There is no doubt that the videos and images taken on Saturday have spread across the internet like wildfire, undoubtedly reaching other parts of the globe in the process. This not only tarnishes the reputation of the PSL and South African football but of the country as a whole.
But who is to blame for this continual disregard for the safety of the players, supporters, officials, and everyone else involved behind the scenes on match day? They should not have to attend a football match and fear for their lives.
No doubt a large part of the blame lies with supporters themselves but they should never have been allowed to take things that far. There have to be regulations in place to stop these sorts of problems well before they escalate to the level recently seen.
The punishments that have been handed down from the PSL in all these cases have been far from severe. Is this because the clubs themselves are bigger than the league? Perhaps the PSL can’t afford to not have teams like Pirates and Chiefs, who draw in the huge crowds and all the financial benefits that come with it, playing behind closed doors?
There is certainly more to come on Saturday night’s events. The PSL and Kaizer Chiefs need to respond decisively to the violence and set a precedent to stop this from ever happening again.
Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
