Clubs must use qualified security staff – Irvin Khoza

Premier Soccer League (PSL) chairperson Irvin Khoza yesterday emphasised the need for clubs to hire properly qualified personnel to deal with security during matches.

He was responding yesterday to Saturday’s riot by Kaizer Chiefs supporters at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, where 18 people were injured, television equipment damaged and seats in the stands set on fire.

The pitch invasion happened after Chiefs lost 2-0 to Free State Stars in the Nedbank Cup semifinals.

A security guard was beaten unconscious, with Khoza confirming that this was a man – 32-year-old Sabela Maziba – and not a woman, as initially reported.

“It is very important to know what kind of security, and category, qualification and training you must employ. All those are part of the compliance of the PSL, which require a certain level of qualification. So we are going through all of that to make sure that everybody is ready,” Khoza said yesterday.

“In fact, what is also apparent, is that we will assist clubs on how to also do pre-match planning and reports. We told the clubs that it is important to hire a risk manager who has proper qualifications – not someone who is a former policeman, therefore he will be head of security. It has to be someone who knows about risk, safety and security.”

Khoza said the disciplinary committee will first have to charge Chiefs, and then they will have a hearing on the matter, before a punishment can be handed down to the club.

Chiefs were already charged by the PSL over fan violence only a couple of weeks ago, when their fans threw missiles at a home game against Chippa United. The club was fined R250 000, with R200 000 of that suspended, though the rest of the fine is now expected to kick in.

Khoza added that Chiefs’ game against Golden Arrows at the Princess Magogo Stadium tomorrow will go ahead as planned.

“The game will go ahead tomorrow, television will be there,” he said.

Meanwhile, the South African Football Association (Safa) released a statement yesterday condemning Saturday’s violence.

“Safa calls on members of the public to assist the South African Police Service (Saps) with identifying the hooligans involved. They should be arrested and appropriately charged as soon as possible,” read part of the statement.

“For far too long, perpetrators of violence at football matches have not been held accountable for their actions, and this needs to stop.

“The hooligans that caused chaos and disorder on Saturday must face the full might of the law.

“We also wish those injured during the mayhem at the stadium a speedy recovery.”

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