Premier Soccer League (PSL) chairman Dr Irvin Khoza has issued a stern warning to stakeholders responsible for organising the Soweto Derby following the crowd-control chaos that overshadowed the recent clash between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium. Khoza has threatened to publicly expose those who failed to fulfil their responsibilities, while also suggesting that the famous fixture could be moved to Durban if the recurring organisational problems continue.

The controversy follows Saturday's Betway Premiership encounter, which saw Orlando Pirates secure a 2-1 victory over their bitter rivals Kaizer Chiefs. Although the match delivered excitement on the pitch, the events outside the stadium raised serious concerns about ticketing arrangements, security and crowd management.

Reports indicated that approximately 6,000 supporters were left stranded outside FNB Stadium despite having valid match tickets. Some of those affected allegedly held premium and suite tickets but were still unable to gain access after the stadium reportedly reached capacity.

The situation reportedly deteriorated as frustrated supporters attempted to force their way through the entrances, resulting in damage to security barriers and steel gates. Allegations that some security personnel accepted bribes from individuals without tickets have further increased concerns about the organisation of the event.

Speaking about the incident, Khoza made it clear that the PSL would demand answers from those involved in organising the derby. He revealed that relevant stakeholders had been instructed to attend a briefing to explain what went wrong.

"There are certain role players who are not playing their part, but I cannot name and shame them on television because I've asked for a briefing on Thursday to make sure that if they don't make up the act, we're going to name and shame them because they are letting us down," Khoza said, as reported by eNCA.

The PSL chairman also praised Durban's Moses Mabhida Stadium, suggesting that future Soweto Derby matches could be hosted there instead of Johannesburg. He referenced previous major football events, including the Nedbank Cup final between Pirates and Chiefs, as examples of Durban's ability to organise successful matches.

His comments have placed Moses Mabhida Stadium in contention as an alternative venue. Stadium manager Zakhi Mkhize has also indicated that Durban is prepared to host major football events through coordinated security, medical and communication structures.

The upcoming PSL stakeholder briefing is expected to play an important role in determining accountability and whether changes will be introduced to prevent similar incidents in future.

Source

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