Keep your cool or stay at home - Safa

If soccer fans can't control their tempers, they should stay at home and watch the game on television.

This was the bitter warning SA Football Association president Kirsten Nemantandani sent to Sundowns fans following two incidents of vandalism at stadiums after the team lost.

Sundowns supporters caused damage of about R27000 after their team's defeat by Moroka Swallows at the Dobsonville stadium in Soweto on Sunday last week, while last month they became violent after their team lost to Maritzburg United at the Lucas Moripe stadium in Atteridgeville, Pretoria.

Yesterday, one of the main culprits in the Dobsonville rampage handed himself over to police.

Nemantandani said he had urged the organisers of the Premier Soccer League to lay charges against the vandals.

"Spectators should learn to respect the results of every game. If they feel they won't be able to handle their tempers, they should not go to the stadiums," he said.

"Soccer is a family game and there are children who go with their parents to stadiums. Their lives are ultimately in danger because of people who do not know how to act in public."

Police said the public had played a role in the arrest of two other Sundowns supporters who had trashed the Dobsonville stadium.

Spokesman Warrant Officer Kay Makhubela said they had received calls from the public after images of the suspects were published and broadcast in the media.

"Members of the public have been calling since last week providing us with details of some of the suspects we were unable to identify on video footage and photographs. More arrests are expected," said Makhubela.

The PSL has laid five charges, including malicious damage to property and trespassing, against the supporters. General manager of safety and security Phillip Masimong said the charges were based on the Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act.

"The charges are very serious, with the maximum penalty for one being a 20-year jail sentence. Supporters need to be warned that actions of this nature will no longer be tolerated," Masimong said.

Two men were arrested at the weekend.

All three men are expected to appear in the Protea Magistrate's Court today.