Chiefs hit with stadium ban

FNB Stadium

Wednesday Nov 01, 2023. 13:00

Kaizer Chiefs will be forced to play their next home match against Cape Town Spurs behind closed doors after the PSL issued them a one-match stadium ban on Tuesday.

The sanction comes following three separate incidents of crowd trouble involving Amakhosi fans, who launched missiles at former Chiefs head coach Molefi Ntseki in the defeats to TS Galaxy, SuperSport United and AmaZulu.

Ntseki was relieved of his duties in the wake of the team’s Carling Knockout exit at the hands of Usuthu on October 21, with Cavin Johnson taking over the reins on an interim basis.

The Glamour Boys have also been fined R50,000 for repeat offences, but more importantly, they will not have the backing of the home support for the visit of the Urban Warriors to the FNB Stadium on November 8.

“As a consequence of unacceptable behaviour by some of the supporters at recent Kaizer Chiefs matches, the Premier Soccer League has issued a total ban on fans attending Amakhosi’s next fixture against Cape Town Spurs on 8 November 2023,” the club said in a statement.

“Consequently, the match at FNB stadium will be played behind closed doors, with only players, technical staff, match officials and stadium security permitted entry.

“This situation is regrettable on a number of levels. Firstly, it deprives the multitude of Amakhosi Faithful, who back the team through good and bad times, from turning out in large numbers to express their solidarity with the team they love, playing the game they love to watch.

“Secondly, it also denies the players the support and motivation provided by the atmosphere created by the legions of well behaved fans that regularly attend games in person to cheer the team on.

“In addition, it reflects unfavourably on the reputation of the Club, which stands for Love & Peace and prides itself on upholding the spirit of sportsmanship, both in victory and defeat.”

Chiefs confirmed that criminal charges have been brought against those responsible for the unruly behavior in the stands after some of the perpetrators were identified through video footage and pictures.