PSL inaction encourages hooliganism
The Premier Soccer League season concluded with the Nedbank Cup final between SuperSport United and Orlando Pirates last weekend, and what a spectacle it was at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium.
It was a sold-out affair with impressive pre-match entertainment, and it didn’t disappoint on the field as it produced five goals, with SuperSport overwhelming Pirates 4-1 in a one-sided affair.
What was disappointing, though, was the ugly scenes which followed the final whistle. Riot police had to use teargas and rubber bullets as a section of the Pirates fans stormed the field.
Some people on the field reported being pelted with all manner of missiles, including beer and whiskey bottles. Shockingly, the PSL has up to now not deplored this act of sheer hooliganism, failing to release a statement to condemn the barbaric behaviour.
We are not surprised that the PSL has remained silent. It has been more than four months since Pirates fans caused untold chaos at Loftus Versfeld, after their team lost 6-0 to Mamelodi Sundowns, but nothing has come out of that case.
With fans fully aware that the PSL is reluctant to deal with this kind of behaviour, what would stop them from resorting to repeated hooliganism when they feel aggrieved?
Why is the PSL taking so long on the Loftus case which was so public that even photographers and other on-field media personnel were not spared?
Since that incident, there have been two more - including last weekend’s - involving Pirates fans.
In May a Sundowns fan woke up in hospital after being assaulted following the Pirates-Sundowns league match at Orlando Stadium.
There’s no way fans can be discouraged from storming the pitch and potentially injuring someone if violent mobs get away with it. The PSL must realise the Loftus incident cannot be swept under the carpet - not in this era of social media, which captured some of the scenes which were not shown on TV. Until it has decisively dealt with the Pirates hooligans, rowdy fans will continue to be a law unto themselves.
And merely remaining silent and wishing the incidents away will not solve anything.