Orlando Pirates punished at last after fan violence
Orlando Pirates have been ordered to play one of their home games behind closed doors.
Orlando Pirates fans react in anger during Absa Premiership match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates at Loftus Stadium (Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix)
This comes after the Premier Soccer League on Tuesday finally handed down its punishment to the Buccaneers for the crowd violence at the game between Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus Stadium on February 11, 2017.
READ: Pirates found guilty of spectator misbehaviour
The PSL said in a statement on Tuesday that the sanction handed down to Pirates was that they “must play two home matches in a closed stadium,” but added that “the implementation of one of these matches has been suspended for a period of 24 months.”
It is unclear at the moment whether this ban will be enforced immediately, with Pirates set to play their next home game against Bidvest Wits at Orlando Stadium in an Absa Premiership match on April 25.
Pirates and Sundowns were both charged by the PSL after fans invaded the pitch during Masandawana’s 6-0 league victory over the Buccaneers on February 11, 2017.
In December 2017, Pirates were finally found guilty, while the league has still yet to declare a verdict on the charges against Sundowns.
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