The surge took place minutes before the 90-minute mark, after Pirates got a serious hiding from the African Champions on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.
Sundowns walloped Pirates 6-0 in the Premiers Soccer League (PSL) match which was named the ‘star derby’. The Soweto giants’ fans first started pulling out camera cables which ruined the television signal.
The match the rivals was played at a fast pace with the Buccaneers missing a brilliant chance in the opening minutes as Gift Motupa’s effort hit the goal post. Pirates kept attacking the Brazilians but with no luck and the wheels turned on them. The African champions attacked Pirates strongly and managed to net two goals in the first half.
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The flood gates opened in the second half as Pirates could not succeed in keeping Sundowns out of their half and this made them concede four goals. The sixth goal angered Pirates fans to the point where they decided to disrupt the match by storming the field. There were about eight minutes left on the clock but match officials were forced to suspend the match to secure the safety of the players. It is said that the fans wanted to discipline less performing players.
Sundowns fans ran in to block the entrance to the change rooms as Pirates fans chased down Sundows players.
In a statement issued this morning (Monday), the PSL stated it strongly condemned acts of hooliganism by some of the fans.
PSL Spokesperson, Luxolo September said the League apologises to all the supporters and stakeholders – those who were at the stadium and those watching on television – who were inconvenienced by what happened. Stating such behaviour at is bad advertisement for South African football.
“The match had to be stopped in the 82nd minute by the referee to clear the pitch. Following a meeting between the VOC Commander, the Match Commissioner and the two clubs, and after carefully assessing the situation, a decision was taken to resume play from the 82nd minute,” said September.
He further said the league is awaiting reports from various stakeholders on what transpired on Saturday afternoon.
Other PSL results:
Saturday, 11 February:
- Maritzburg United 1-2 Kaizer Chiefs.
- Ajax Cape Town 0-2 Cape Town City.
- Golden Arrows 2-1 Bloemfontein Celtics.
Sunday, 12 February:
- Highlands Park 1-1 Polokwane City.
