We’ve seen some violent scenes in South Africa this weekend largely thanks to the State of the Nation fracas on Thursday night. But when Mamelodi Sundowns took on Orlando Pirates in Tshwane today, no one thought it would end up like this.
Sundowns put six goals past Pirates in the first 80 minutes of the game. Yes, six. This didn’t seem to sit well with some in the stadium. With some Sundowns fans looking on from the stands, a number of other spectators flooded the pitch, overwhelming Premier Soccer League security, forcing the players back into the dressing room, and suspending the match.
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Things then got ugly.
Mamelodi Sundowns took on Orlando Pirates in Tshwane today, but it wasn’t your average football match
According to a video uploaded by Twitter user Neo Molefe (@NeoMolefe_SA), some fans were thrown to the ground, while others were kicked. Bottles and other projectiles were also lobbed into the stands. The SAPS also arrived on the scene and fired teargas to disperse the crowd.
The match eventually got underway again, but for Pirates at least, the damage was done.
What’s this? @Masandawana @Orlando_Pirates pic.twitter.com/pJwVWVBCzy
— Neo
(@NeoMolefe_SA) February 11, 2017
Other clips from different angles in the stadium shows the extent of the violence.
#pirates #sundowns pic.twitter.com/f25f0nrNpH
— Nwabisa (@TheeNororo) February 11, 2017
There’s no indication of how many people were injured at Loftus.
Sundowns vs Pirate: Twitter has its say
Fans, politicians and other Twitter commentators are reacting to the event on social media. DA leader Mmusi Maimane labeled the incident a “disgrace”.
“We must condemn all violence and sport is not the place for such behavior. Sport is a great unifier, this is a disgrace,” he tweets.
We must condemn all violence and sport is not the place for such behavior. Sport is a great unifier, this is a disgrace. https://t.co/OEgtZ3kSsb
— Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) February 11, 2017
Other fans, like Maps Maponyane, notes that it’s “so tough and stressfull[sic] being a Pirates supporter right now”.
Sundowns 6-0 Orlando Pirates. Wow. It’s so tough and stressfull being a Pirates supporter right now… pic.twitter.com/1YkuNTCKLj
— Maps Maponyane (@MapsMaponyane) February 11, 2017
South Africa’s minister of sport Fikile Mbalula also called the incident “unacceptable for our beautiful game”.
Scenes at Loftus are unacceptable for our beautiful game. However our emotions, restraint must always come first for security and order.
— RSA Min of Sport (@MbalulaFikile) February 11, 2017
Speaking to Memeburn, Sundowns supporter Neo Molefe explains that the incident could’ve been avoided.
“I mean really it could have been avoided. We as supporters are always complaining about the security at PSL games it’s horrible!,” he adds.
Molefe also explains that order was largely restored once the final whistle was blown.
The Premier Soccer League has yet to released a statement, nor has the football clubs.
The incident at Loftus between Sundowns and Pirates comes during a bad weekend for football safety worldwide, as 17 people were killed when a football match in Angola ended in a stampede.
This is a developing story…
