Bloem Celtic owner Max Tshabalala puts club up for sale after fan violence

29 February 2016 - 02:32 By Nick Said

Owner Max Tshabalala is courting offers for Bloemfontein Celtic after sensationally deciding to quit the club following fan violence at Saturday's Premier Soccer League clash against Orlando Pirates. There has been growing anger towards Tshabalala from Celtic supporters, whom the chairman accused of "barbarism", with the side on a run of just one victory in 16 matches in all competitions.Tshabalala also plans to sell @Bloem_Celtic following the violence and calls from some supporters. Full story on https://t.co/FrBr7IIJYj— Bloemfontein Celtic (@Bloem_Celtic) February 28, 2016junkTshabalala had boldly stated they should be challenging for a top-three place this season.Now, however, he wants out of the club after Celtic fans went on the rampage towards the end of the clash at the Orlando Stadium, ripping up seats and attacking rival supporters."Vandalising the stadium, fighting and hurting Pirates supporters in the process clearly the situation has gone out of hand," Tshabalala said."It also hurt seeing a national heritage site (Orlando Stadium) ripped apart because of frustration against one man (Tshabalala)."I was pained to see innocent soccer-loving fans being beaten, some to a pulp, and that led me to the decision to sell the team."Tshabalala feels the violence was a deliberate act with the intention of seeing him leave the club."Our supporters are deliberately bringing the league into disrepute just to hurt me as an individual. This is not about the performance of the team," he said."I had a chat with some of the fans who boldly told me they hated me and wanted me out of the team with immediate effect. Hence I am calling on businessmen in and around Mangaung to come up with offers to buy the team and take Celtic forward."Tshabalala said he had informed the players of his intention. Celtic are 12th in the PSL, six points above the relegation play-off position...

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.