Unfortunate precedent
NO ONE should be surprised by the ugly incident broadcast nationwide when Orlando Pirates fans invaded the pitch as their team caught a thrashing at the hands of Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday.
The example for such unruly behaviour was set by the country’s leaders barely 48 hours earlier during President Jacob Zuma’s State of the Nation address, when the EFF contingent was forcibly removed, some MPs being dragged out by their feet while apparently lashing out at the security staff with their helmets.
The ugly incident was preceded by the EFF’s expected demand for Zuma to stand down as president because of the various allegations against him, and their equally expected failure to get him or the House to do so.
On the soccer field, the fans ran at Pirates head coach Augusto Palacios and his staff after the team conceded their sixth goal of the afternoon, and upended the dugout amid scenes of various objects being flung from the stands to the pitch.
The message sent out from the EFF in the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces appears to be to behave like children, stamping their feet and throwing tantrums because they did not get their way.
In the aftermath, Premier Soccer League spokesman Luxolo September said the violent incident cast a bad light on South African football.
“What happened was not good. It’s not about the PSL only, it’s about football” – whatever that means.
What he should have issued was an emphatic, unequivocal condemnation of the fans’ behaviour and a promise to ensure that swift, harsh action would follow.
SPORTS Minister Fikile Mbalula and the coaches of both teams also condemned the incident, but words must be followed by deeds: in addition to losing the game, Pirates should be docked points and forced to play a number of home games behind closed doors. A hefty fine should also be considered.
Their fans must be made to understand that their behaviour is inexcusable. The ghosts of Ellis Park and Orkney – both also involving Pirates fans – must not be allowed to rise again.