Soccer chaos PSL says sorry
THE PREMIER Soccer League (PSL) has strongly condemned acts of hooliganism and violence that rocked the Absa Premiership clash at Loftus Stadium on Saturday, forcing match officials to bring the match to a halt as players and officials ran off to the dressing rooms in fear of their lives.
Scores of fans attending the match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates went on the rampage after Sundowns scored their sixth goal of the match. Angry fans breached the security lines and stormed the pitch. Some fans were brutally assaulted.
In a statement released yesterday, the PSL strongly condemned the hooliganism.
The statement reads: “The PSL strongly condemns acts of hooliganism by some of the fans at the Mamelodi Sundowns vs Orlando Pirates Absa Premiership fixture at Loftus Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
“The League apologises to all the supporters and stakeholders – those we were at the stadium and also those watching on television – who were inconvenienced by what happened. Such behaviour… is a bad advert for our football.”
The match had to be stopped in the 82nd minute by the referee to clear the pitch. Following a meeting between the match commissioner and the two clubs, and after carefully assessing the situation, a decision was taken to resume play from the 82nd minute. The PSL is awaiting reports on what transpired on Saturday afternoon.
THE PSL has condemned the violence that erupted at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday in a league match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates. Angry Pirates’ fans invaded the pitch as their club trailed Sundowns 6-0. They tried to attack their own players, but the players ran for cover before the supporters could get to them. Before Pirates’ fans stormed the pitch, they threw missiles and removed the barrier that surrounds the pitch. Security personnel didn’t react quick enough after Pirates’ supporters had pulled the broadcasters’ cables, which led to the TV blackout, and stormed onto the field in the 82nd minute. “The Premier Soccer League strongly condemns acts of hooliganism by some of the fans at the Mamelodi Sundowns vs Orlando Pirates PSL fixture at Loftus Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The league apologises to all the supporters and stakeholders, those we were at the stadium and also those watching on television, who were inconvenienced by what happened. Such behaviour at our stadiums is (a) bad advert for our football. The Premier Soccer League is awaiting reports from various stakeholders on what transpired on Saturday afternoon,” the PSL said in a statement. The Buccaneers’ management will address the media this morning regarding their fans’ conduct.