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The ugly face of the beautiful game

March 9, 2016 11:34 am by: Category: Africa & World, Local, National, NEWS Leave a comment A+ / A-

IMG_6497_resizedGIFT NDOLWANE
JOHANNESBURG – THE Brazilian legendary Pele once called it the beautiful game. Local football is anything except that nowadays. Stadia in the province have been the venues for the ugly face of this beautiful game to rear its ugly head repeatedly.

Hooliganism has been commonplace in recent weeks.

Recently, viewers watched in horror as fans of struggling Bloemfontein Celtic and Orlando Pirates scuffled unashamedly in a league match the latter eventually won 1-0. A number of supporters were injured during the brawls at Orlando Stadium.

Last weekend, no sooner than Kaizer Chiefs, the famed ‘Cup kings’ of local football, were knocked out of the Nedbank Cup that a section of fans threatened to run riot demanding the resignation of coach Steve Komphela.

This follows a disappointing season that sees Chiefs staring at the possibility of finishing the campaign without silverware, an unprecedented development by their lofty standards.

After the match at FNB Stadium, as “Steve must fall” reverberated across the iconic venue, the coach remained defiant.

“At no stage have I ever been negative in my life because that is how I look at life and that has taken me very far. Even leaving here, I am not going to look at all negatives.

“This job comes along with pressure and I just have to deal with it and manage it. We are the ones to absorb that pressure. If you deflect pressure, ask yourself where it is going. It goes to the players,” said Komphela.

His sentiments after the 2-0 loss to Soweto neighbours Pirates came days after violent scenes at a national first division match fallen giants Moroka Swallows hosted at the Dobsonville Stadium against Mthatha Bucks.

While it could not be ascertained if the Premier Soccer League (PSL) would take action over the incidents at Orlando and FNB Stadiums, Swallows have been slapped with a fine.

The struggling side’s woes have been worsened with R 50, 000, of which R 30, 000 was suspended until the end of the season after crowd violence.

Such fines have proven not deterrent enough as violent scenes recur.

Acting PSL Acting Chief Executive, Mato Madlala, says the custodians of league football are concerned at the sporadic acts of hooliganism.

“We have noted acts of hooliganism from a faction of supporters and this is very concerning to us as the League. We strongly condemn this behaviour. It is unacceptable and we do not need this in our football,” says Madlala.

“We have worked very hard as the League to ensure that we eliminate incidents of this nature at our matches in the past but recently we have witnessed a few cases where a small faction of supporters have not behaved well,” she adds.

Madlala says PSL continues to work closely with the South African Police Service (SAPS) to uproot this unsavoury behaviour.

“As part of our working relationship with the SAPS, we have seen hooligans being arrested, charged and convicted following similar incidents,” says Madlala.

Such conduct is thwarting plans by PSL to entice fans attend matches in a sport supporter apathy is of concern.

“Football is a family sport and families must feel safe to come to our stadiums and watch the game,” says Madlala.

The ugly face of the beautiful game Reviewed by on . GIFT NDOLWANE JOHANNESBURG - THE Brazilian legendary Pele once called it the beautiful game. Local football is anything except that nowadays. Stadia in the prov GIFT NDOLWANE JOHANNESBURG - THE Brazilian legendary Pele once called it the beautiful game. Local football is anything except that nowadays. Stadia in the prov Rating: 0

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