Sold-out Soweto derby highlights ongoing issues with fan behaviour and safety

Tickets for the much-anticipated Soweto derby between traditional arch-rivals Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs were snapped up within hours of going on sale a fortnight ago.

That is little surprise as the eagerly awaited encounter once saw the sold-out signs going up within 60 minutes, as if the clash was the sporting version of the American movie of the heist of top-notch cars Gone in 60 Seconds.

With Pirates and Chiefs going into Saturday’s FNB Stadium showdown on the back of respective 3-0 victories over Milford FC and TS Galaxy in the Carling Knockout competition on Tuesday night, interest in the match has increased as supporters scavenge for non-existent tickets, in the vain hope of being among the thousands in the crowd.

The 94,000-seater was overcrowded when 15,000 more people gained entry when these two giants of South African football last clashed at the Calabash in February.

What is not surprising is the fact that as much as all and sundry are aware that the biggest sporting spectacle in Southern Africa attracts the attention of millions, there seems to be a continuous disregard of safety protocols to ensure smooth access into the 2010 World Cup venue.

A combination of factors contributes to the mayhem that degenerates into general disorder on the roads leading to the cathedral and the chaos that plays out on the precinct. Patrons refuse to use the park-and-ride services that organisers allocate in a bid to alleviate congestion.

The end result is the late arrival of spectators due to congestion caused by supporters who insist in driving as close to the venue as possible. Another is allowing fans to loiter around the precinct when they don’t have a ticket. Or if they have one, it is counterfeit.

Their insistence, combined with road closures around the vicinity, results in gridlocked traffic. What follows is civility being thrown out the window as people disembark from vehicles to relieve themselves in full view of other commuters, while others litter, discarding their empty containers of beverages, the contents of which have interfered with their sobriety.

Add to that there are those who despite not having tickets still deem it fit to head to the stadium hellbent on overwhelming the security personnel and forcing their way in. All these elements are ingredients of a simmering pot which could explode to disastrous effects.

It is nice of minister of sport, arts and culture Gayton McKenzie to talk tough and threaten Stadium Management South Africa (SMSA), the company that operates the stadium, with harsh action.

The assurances by SMSA that security will be beefed up for Saturday are welcome. Sadly, despite SMSA’s best preparations, previous experience of non-adherence to rules by some supporters has seen their plans end up as mincemeat.

No valid, scannable ticket, no entry, they say. The mantra should be common sense over everything — every day, all day, no matter the event.

It is high time people took the issue of their own safety seriously. Being caught up in Soweto Derby fever must not force the football faithful into temporary irresponsibility that borders on insanity.

It cannot be that two sporting codes — rugby and football — played at the same FNB Stadium venue present spectators with two contradicting experiences.

When South Africa and New Zealand rugby match was hosted at FNB not too long ago, everything was orderly. This was not the case when the Soweto giants met on the previous occasion. The start time had to be moved out 30 minutes because a large number of spectators were still scrambling to get to the stadium. Authorities could not risk starting the game for fear of a stampede.