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Chiefs pay the price for hooliganism

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Kaizer Chiefs v Chippa Utd

Kaizer Chiefs have been ordered to play three matches behind closed doors by the Premier Soccer League due to to the fan violence that erupted at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Angry Amakhosi fans resorted to hooliganism at the full-time whistle of Chiefs’ 2-0 loss to Free State Stars in the Nedbank Cup semi-finals in April, which proved to be the last game in charge for coach Steve Komphela.

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The Chiefs fans invaded the pitch, pelted missiles at the players and officials, assaulted security guards, ripped and torched out seats and destroyed broadcasting equipment.

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In addition, they also vandalised goalposts, fencing, crowd management barriers, bins, water points, tables and chairs among other items in the vicinity.

Komphela, Chiefs coach at the time, stepped down in the aftermath of the defeat after enduring constant calls for his head from the fans due to his three-year trophyless reign at the Soweto giants.

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Giovanni Solinas’ side have been ordered to play three matches (one of which has been suspended for a period of 24 months) behind closed doors with the matches needing to be played at a venue in KwaZulu-Natal.

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The PSL released an official press statement publicising the details of their ruling.

‘The Premier Soccer League disciplinary committee has found Kaizer Chiefs guilty and ordered that they play three matches behind closed doors with one [of the three] matches suspended for a period of 24 months provided Kaizer Chiefs is not found guilty of a similar offence,’ the statement read.

‘This follows the sitting of the disciplinary committee arising from the events of 21 April 2018 at Moses Mabhida Stadium during the Nedbank Cup match against Free State Stars where supporters of Kaizer Chiefs invaded the pitch and caused damage to property.

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‘The disciplinary committee further ruled that the matches which the club play behind closed doors must be scheduled for KwaZulu-Natal. The DC held a view that since the incident had occurred in KwaZulu-Natal, a strong message must be sent to the spectators in that province that the behaviour of 21 April 2018 is totally unacceptable.

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‘The findings of the disciplinary committee are in line with Article 45.5 of the NSL Handbook (Constitution) that holds member clubs culpable for the behaviour of their supporters,’ the statement concluded.

Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix