Take action now, Tau tells the PSL

UGLY SCENES: DOWNS AND BUCS COULD BE IN HOT WATER

Former Pirates captain says such violence needs to be avoided in the future.

Former Orlando Pirates captain Jimmy Tau believes the relevant authorities must act to make sure what happened at Loftus Stadium on Saturday is not repeated.

Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns could both be in serious hot water with the Premier Soccer League after crowd violence disrupted Masandawana’s 6-0 Absa Premiership victory over the Buccaneers.

“I think it is a very unfortunate situation,” said Tau yesterday.

“The powers that be will have to … make sure they address the issues, and make sure we never get a repeat of those scenes that we don’t like to see. Now that it has happened we have to find a way to deal with it.

“The people tasked to handle such issues will say what needs to be done … but hopefully the best result will come out for football. We need to encourage families to come and watch the game, we are struggling to fill stadiums and scenes like that go against people coming to stadiums.”

Absa head of marketing David Wingfield, meanwhile, described Saturday’s scenes as “unacceptable and unfortunate”, but added that “the PSL run the league, we are a partner and sponsor … they are in communication with us but they need to get on with what they do”.

The bank is currently in negotiations with the PSL over a new deal for the Premiership, with the current one expiring this year.

Tau also commented on the poor season Pirates are having – they went into last night’s game against Bidvest Wits sitting ninth in the table. Muhsin Ertugral resigned as head coach on November 1 after a 6-1 thumping by SuperSport United, and caretaker coach Augusto Palacios is set to be replaced on Monday.

“I think it is a mix of a lot of factors,” said Tau on Pirates’ struggles.

“I think it is just a slump and everyone associated with Pirates just needs to be more patient and support the team.”

Tau was speaking at the launch of the Absa Premiership Goal of the Month competition. Fans get to vote for their favourite goals – for more details go to psl.co.za.

The people tasked to handle such issues will say what needs to be done … but hopefully the best result will come out for football. Jimmy Tau