CAPE TOWN – Kaizer Chiefs will have to play their next two “home” matches in KwaZulu-Natal behind closed doors after the club were disciplined for the Moses Mabhida Stadium riots.
Chaos erupted at the end of the Amakhosi’s Nedbank Cup semi-final defeat to Free State Stars on April 21.
Several people were injured and millions of rands’ damage was carried out to TV cameras and other broadcasting equipment, while chairs were ripped out of the stands as well as spectators rushed on to the pitch after the final whistle.
The players and match officials ran for cover, with coach Steve Komphela quitting his Chiefs job that same night.
On Tuesday, the Premier Soccer League disciplinary committee found Chiefs guilty of Article 45.5 of the NSL Handbook (constitution), which holds clubs culpable for the behaviour of their supporters.
“The Premier Soccer League Disciplinary Committee has found Kaizer Chiefs guilty and ordered that they play three matches behind closed doors, with one (of the three) matches suspended for a period of 24 months, provided Kaizer Chiefs is not found guilty of a similar offence,” the statement read.
“This follows the sitting of the Disciplinary Committee arising from the events of 21 April 2018 at Moses Mabhida Stadium during the Nedbank Cup match against Free State Stars, where supporters of Kaizer Chiefs invaded the pitch and caused damage to property.
“The Disciplinary Committee further ruled that the matches which the club play behind closed doors must be scheduled for KwaZulu-Natal.
“The DC held a view that since the incident had occurred in KwaZulu-Natal, a strong message must be sent to the spectators in that province that the behaviour of 21 April 2018 is totally unacceptable.”
After the PSL made their announcement, Kaizer Chiefs posted on Twitter: “We confirm that we have received the PSL Ruling and we are currently studying it #Amakhosi4Life”
We confirm that we have received the PSL Ruling and we are currently studying it #Amakhosi4Life pic.twitter.com/2ahFGeFvra
— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) September 11, 2018
Chiefs’ next match is on Saturday at the Cape Town Stadium, where they will face Cape Town City in an Absa Premiership encounter.
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