PSL urged to act after derby chaos locks 6k fans out

DISKI supporters must learn a tough lesson: if they keep breaking the rules, they should lose the right to host the Soweto derby.

George Bernard Shaw famously wrote: “Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.”

This rings incredibly true after this week’s local general elections, which proved once again that change is entirely possible.

When your loyalty’s taken for granted by those who keep making the same mistakes, the best move isn’t just walking away — it’s to vote them out. These elections proved that nothing’s impossible and bold action works.

That’s why I urge the Premier Soccer League (PSL) to seriously consider moving the Soweto derby out of Gauteng, as they’ve warned. Even if Moses Mabhida Stadium is smaller than FNB Stadium, it’s still big enough to host the match.

Given the chaotic trajectory of recent derbies, such a move shouldn’t come as a complete surprise. Maya Angelou once noted, “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”

When it comes to the Soweto derby, supporters’ attitudes have been the biggest threat to the sport.

Before every derby, authorities always urge fans to arrive early and follow all protocols. But despite these repeated calls, people still show up late, some without valid parking or match tickets, and force their way in. This sense of entitlement and reckless behaviour is completely unacceptable.

The Soweto derby at FNB Stadium is currently a disaster waiting to happen.

If we don’t act now, we risk another disaster like the 2001 Ellis Park tragedy.

We can’t just sit back while warning signs are clear: waiting for something terrible to happen will be too late.

This week, league chairman Irvin Khoza gave a clear warning: future matches will move to Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban if crowd-control problems at FNB Stadium aren’t fixed urgently. I fully agree.

The recent derby was marred by severe overcrowding and critical security breaches, culminating in roughly 6 000 legitimate ticket holders being locked out after the venue reached capacity. This triggered broken gates, structural damage, and crowd hostility.

It’s time fans learnt the hard lesson: bad behaviour won’t be tolerated anymore.

Moving the match to Durban, a venue with much better crowd control, is the best deterrent. Travelling to KZN will be costly for fans, but it’s a price they must pay if they won’t change their ways.

Let’s be clear: hosting the Soweto derby at FNB Stadium is a privilege, not a right. The event’s become a serious safety risk that can’t be allowed to continue.

I sincerely hope the PSL follows through on this relocation threat rather than letting it fade into an empty warning. For years, we’ve lamented the lack of discipline and disregard for protocol among supporters in this region. It’s time to hold them directly accountable. This issue does not lie with the league, the clubs, stadium management, or law enforcement.

The blame lies with a spoilt, entitled group of supporters who think they’re untouchable. I’ve said before that football fans should learn from rugby supporters.

When the Springboks played the All Blacks at the same stadium, there were no problems. Clearly, the issue is with football fans and their entitled behaviour, which must be stopped.

Many think Khoza is just bluffing, and nothing will change, but I hope that’s not true. We can’t afford another chaotic derby.

Just as voters called for change this week, the PSL should act and punish those supporters who’ve brought the league into disrepute. The league can’t keep doing the same thing and expect a different result!

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