Pirates apologise for fan behaviour

Orlando Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza on Wednesday gave an official apology for the behaviour of his team’s fans on the final day of the league season when the Buccaneers were crowned champions.

   The Ghost swarmed the field at the end of their triumphant match against Golden Arrows at Orlando Stadium on May 21, a situation that led to the club being cited and fined R150,000 by the Premier Soccer League (PSL).

   In the presence of the league’s outgoing prosecutor, Zola Majavu, and chief operations officer Ronnie Schloss, Khoza said it was difficult to contest the case.

   “We don’t want to challenge that incident. It is very difficult for us to contest,” Khoza said.

   “Every team is responsible for the behaviour of their spectators.

   “We submitted that the celebration invasion was a result of excitement, and that there was no aggression.

   “Still, we are aware that anything could have happened to the match officials or the opposing players.” 

  Khoza, who ironically also the chairs the league, pointed out that security personnel responsible for the fixture were put in place by the PSL, and not the club, as the match against Arrows was  highly categorised in terms of security logistics.

   “We want to engage the league about it,” he said.

   “They will give us a report on the preparation of the game in case there was an omission that needs to be anticipated for this incident not to happen again.

    “It was a Category A game, therefore it was their [the PSL’s] responsibility and we must be able to try and avoid this from happening.” 

   Schloss warned that, following the hard work which had been produced that now sees the local Premiership rated among the best in the world, it would not be good for the league and the clubs to be tainted by regular crowd troubles. 

   “Pitch invasions, especially in televised matches, harm the image of the league as well as the clubs involved,” Schloss said.

    “We will sit down with stadium management authorities around the country, as well as our members, the clubs, to have measures and plans in place to combat pitch invasions and any other disorderly behaviour by spectators.” 

  Meanwhile, the league also announced that Schloss would be the acting chief executive of the PSL until the end of June.

   Former chief executive Kjetil Siem has officially vacated the seat and his replacement is expected to take office at the beginning of August.