Kaizer Chiefs will implement several strict new measures to deal with fan violence at their matches.
The club has been plagued by fan violence recently, and the new measures attempt to crack down on this problem. This season alone, the club has been charged twice for crowd trouble at three of their matches. They appear before the PSL’s Disciplinary Committee on Tuesday, 31 October 2023, to answer for a third charge.
According to the club’s Corporate Communications Manager, Vina Maphosa, the new measures include a zero-tolerance policy on violence, with fans found guilty to face the full wrath of the law.
ZERO-TOLERANCE POLICY ON VIOLENCE
But before implementing the new measures, the club is taking steps to educate its fans on violence. Chiefs recently started a new campaign to promote a culture of respect and fair play among its supporters.
“We started a process of engaging our supporters in workshops…In Gauteng, we’ve held two activities this season alone as a build-up to big matches that include playing [Mamelodi] Sundowns and the [upcoming Soweto] derby at FNB Stadium,” Maphosa told FARPost.
He said each time the team travels to other provinces, they engage the fans on issues like violence.
Maphosa hinted that Chiefs could, once again, work with the South African Police Service to nip the scourge in the bud.
“There are processes that will see people getting into real trouble [for crowd trouble]. There was a year we faced fan violence at Moses Mabhida Stadium, and people were arrested, charged and prosecuted and there was a little bit of improvement in terms of behaviour in the stands.”
SERIOUS REPERCUSSIONS FOR FAN VIOLENCE
He warned those “contemplating to cause trouble” that “there will be serious repercussions.”
“It’s clear from the evidence we have gathered that it is a section, and it starts with one or two individuals who have become ring leaders who take matters into their hands to flare violence,” he added.
The club’s efforts to educate its followers on fan violence have been welcomed.
“It is great to see Kaizer Chiefs taking a proactive approach to addressing the issue of fan violence,” said Innocent wa ka Mkhize, who is based in Durban. “Fan violence is a serious problem, but it can be solved through education and awareness. Kaizer Chiefs is setting a good example for other clubs to follow.”
Maphosa added the club would continue to strengthen the team to turn around their fortunes. Chiefs completed their 10th signing of the 2023/24 season – Luke Fleurs – recently. They also replaced head coach Molefi Ntseki with the revered Cavin Johnson.
“We recently announced our 10th signing of the season. We’ve also brought in a respected mental coach, Dr Henning. These are signs that management has the intent to turn things around.
“We hope supporters will rally behind the team and that we will see an improvement in supporter behaviour. The plan is in place to reach all provinces. They must look out when we will be visiting.”
Whether the new measures will effectively reduce fan violence at Chiefs games remains to be seen. However, the club is committed to addressing the issue, and it is hoped that the new measures will help create a safer and more enjoyable environment for fans and players alike.
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