Khoza demands answers after chaos at Soweto derby

PSL chairman Irvin Khoza has warned that those responsible for the disorder at Saturday’s Soweto derby could be publicly named after supporters locked out of FNB Stadium damaged property outside the venue.

Orlando Pirates beat Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 in their Betway Premiership meeting, but a large number of fans were denied entry as organisers attempted to prevent overcrowding inside the stadium precinct.

The scenes were widely shared on social media, with supporters voicing their anger at being unable to watch the match. The incident has also renewed concerns about crowd management at one of South Africa’s biggest football fixtures.

The two Soweto derbies before Saturday’s match were reportedly played at venues that exceeded capacity. That history has raised fears of a repeat of the Ellis Park disaster in 2001, when overcrowding led to a fatal incident, unless the issue is dealt with urgently.

Khoza was speaking on Monday during President Cyril Ramaphosa’s courtesy visit to the PSL offices in Parktown. He said all parties involved had been instructed to explain what had happened and warned that those who failed to fulfil their responsibilities could face public scrutiny.

“There’s the seamless tradition of people wanting to storm the gates,” Khoza said. “We went to Durban for the Nedbank Cup final between Chiefs and Pirates, and nothing happened. Pirates and Sundowns met in the final recently, and nothing happened. So, why here? There are certain role players that are not playing their part, but I can’t name and shame them on television.

“I have asked for a briefing on Thursday to make sure that if they do not act, then we’ll name and shame them because they are letting us down.”

Khoza contrasted the events at FNB Stadium with recent high-profile matches staged at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, where no similar incidents occurred.

He suggested that the PSL could take the stadium’s record into account when deciding where future major fixtures should be played.

“In Durban, all hands on deck. Maybe in future, instead of going to FNB, let’s go to Durban – they are good hosts, and they do things professionally,” he added.

The Soweto derby between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs remains one of the most significant fixtures in South African football, but Saturday’s disorder has placed renewed focus on the responsibility of organisers and other stakeholders to control attendance and ensure supporters can enter safely.