The PSL Disciplinary Committee looks set to come down hard on Kaizer Chiefs after the fourth incident of fan violence, and below are three possible consequences.
After Saturday’s 1-0 loss to AmaZulu in the Carling Knockout Cup, fans threw missiles at Chiefs coach Molefi Ntseki.
Here are three things likely to happen:
A SPECTATOR BAN IN THE NEXT MATCH
“… The errant behaviour of these few fans, they were further ordered with an automatic spectator ban at the next match.”
This was a pronouncement by PSL prosecutor Zola Majavu three weeks ago. Chiefs were found guilty of crowd trouble after their games against SuperSport United and Mamelodi Sundowns last month.
Prior to that, they were also found guilty of an incident that happened at Mbombela Stadium after a 1-0 defeat to TS Galaxy.
“In the event, they were to be found guilty of the same offence during the next six months. This is what is traditionally referred to as a lockout, and it is contemplated in the rules of the league.
“… The import of it is that it will affect other innocent spectators or fans of the club they are scheduled to play next. Unfortunately, for practical considerations, it would simply mean that a particular fixture will be played without fans on both sides of the team’s fixture against each other.
“That will only happen if they are found guilty again within the next six months, and having been so convicted by the PSL, etc. This is indeed a serious warning shot issued by the league through its judicial body, and it is perfectly contemplated in the rules of the league.”
Chiefs’ next home game is against Cape Town Spurs at the FNB Stadium, and judging from the above pronouncement, they could play that game in an empty stadium.
ANOTHER HEFTY BAN
For the last two infringements on 20 [SuperSport] and 23 September [Sundowns] 2023, which were counted as one for sanction purposes, Chiefs were issued a monetary fine of R200,000. R50,000 was suspended for six months on condition that they are not found guilty of the same offence again during the suspension period. The effective payable amount was R150,000.
“So in total, it will be R180,000 Rands plus the cost of today’s seating, which is usually administratively computed by the league and then added to the bill of the fine itself.”
That suspended R50 000 will kick in, and a new fine will have to be paid by the club.
INCREASED SECURITY COSTS
After Spurs, a fixture likely to be played in an empty stadium, the next fixture is the Soweto derby on 11 November. It’s the biggest fixture on the domestic league calendar. Considering the magnitude of the game, it means only one thing. The club will have to invest in security. Fan violence leads to increased security costs for the club. This is because the club needs to take steps to protect its players, staff, and fans themselves from violence. This means hiring more security personnel and implementing other security measures.
In addition to these three consequences, fan violence can also have a negative impact on the football community. For example, it can lead to property damage, injuries, and even death. It can also create a sense of fear and intimidation and make it difficult for people to enjoy public spaces.
It is important to note that the overwhelming majority of Kaizer Chiefs fans are peaceful and law-abiding. However, the actions of a small minority can have a negative impact on the club.
WHAT CAN FANS DO TO HELP?
There are a number of things that Kaizer Chiefs fans can do to help address the problem of fan violence:
- Report any incidents of violence to the club authorities or to the police.
- Do not engage in violence yourself, even if you are provoked.
- Promote sportsmanship and fair play.
- Educate other fans about the dangers of violence and the importance of sportsmanship.
By working together, the club and fans can create a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone to enjoy football.
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