Chiefs threatened with stadium ban as PSL fine them again for crowd violence

The Premier Soccer League (PSL) Disciplinary Committee has taken action against Kaizer Chiefs following a second incident of crowd violence this season.

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Amakhosi has been fined R200 000, with R50 000 of the fine suspended for six months, provided they are not found guilty of a similar offence during that time.

Chiefs fans will also face a one-game stadium ban, if Amakhosi are found guilty of a similar offence in the next six months.

The recent incident at Peter Mokaba Stadium marked the second offence of crowd violence, with a previous incident occurring at Mbombela Stadium. 

PSL prosecutor, Advocate Zola Majavu, announced their verdict on Monday afternoon after Chiefs pleaded guilty yet again.

In a long statement, Majavu explained the whole process including the verdict. Read the statement below:

“I can confirm that earlier today, Kaizer Chiefs FC appeared before the PSL DC to answer to two separate counts of spectator misbehaviour. This is as a result of missile probing incidents that took place on the 20 and 23 of September, PSL and MTN fixtures respectively,” Majavu said in his statement.

“They pleaded guilty as charged, and having been so convicted, and upon listening to the submissions from the prosecutor and their representatives, both in mitigation and aggravation of sanction, the PSL DC issued the following ruling with regard to sanction one.

Not first time Chiefs fined

“You would also remember that a few weeks ago, Kaizer Chiefs Football Club was found guilty of the same offence.

“And they were issued a monetary fine of R100 000, of which R70 000 was to be payable effectively, and R30 000 suspended on condition that during the next 12 months, they are not to be found guilty of the same offence again.

“Sadly, a few weeks later, they find themselves convicted again on exact same offence, which means that the suspended R30 000 now comes into operation immediately.

“In respect of the new contraventions, which for purposes of sanction were taken as one they were issued a monetary fine of R200 000, of which R50 000 is suspended for a period of six months on condition that during the period of suspension are not found guilty of the same offence again, the effective payable amount in respect of the new contraventions is thus R150 000.

“So in total, it will be R180 000 plus the cost of today’s seating, which is usually administratively computed by the league and then added to the bill of the fine itself.

“Over and above that, and as a mark of the PSL DC’s displeasure, the errant behaviour of these few fans, they were further ordered with an automatic spectator ban at the next match.

“In the event, they were to be found guilty of the same offence during the next six months. This is what is traditionally referred to as a lockout, and it is contemplated in the rules of the league.

Chiefs fined yet again, but that’s not all

“Sadly, and unfortunately, the import of it is that it will affect other innocent spectators or fans of the club they are scheduled to play next. Unfortunately, for practical considerations, it would simply mean that a particular fixture will be played without fans on both sides of the team’s fixture against each other.

“That will only happen if they are found guilty again within the next six months, and having been convicted by the PSL etc. This is indeed a serious warning shot issued by the league through its judicial body, and it is perfectly contemplated in the rules of the league.

“The chair of the DC made a specific call that all the clubs should heed this warning and do all things necessary to convey the message through whatever channels to the fans that this type of behaviour would not be countenanced.

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“There is also recognition that fining the clubs alone and in and of itself will not necessarily deal with this unacceptable conduct. Hence, the automatic lockout in the event of a future contravention.”