Kaizer Chiefs have been fined by the Premier Soccer League, the league's prosecutor Zola Majavu has confirmed.
Following the incident of spectator misbehaviour during the match for Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns in the quarter-finals of the Carling Knockout Cup, the Soweto giants have now been fined.
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"I can confirm that earlier today Kaizer Chiefs Football Club appeared before the PSL DC to answer to charges of spectator misbehaviour on accounts of incidents of missile-throwing in their match against Mamelodi Sundowns," confirmed Majavu, speaking through the PSL's media department.
"The respondent, which is Kaizer Chiefs, pleaded guilty as charged and having listened to submissions with regard to the appropriate sanction, the PSL DC ruled as follows, firstly that Kaizer Chiefs is fined the monetary amount of R200 000 of which half is suspended for the next 12 months on condition that during the period of suspension they are not found guilty of the same offence again," said Majavu.
"Two, you will also note that three weeks or so ago Kaizer Chiefs appeared before the PSL DC on exactly the same charges. They were fined a monetary amount of a R100 000 of which R50 000 was suspended. Within the period of suspension, Kaizer Chiefs has reoffended again. By operation of law it means that that R50 000 that was earlier suspended is now effective. It will be added onto the R100 000, which is half of the R200 000 which was imposed for this current infringement," Majavu added.
"In total, it means Kaizer Chiefs will pay R150 000 plus the costs of the sitting which are administratively computed by the League and added on to the R150 000. The DC also observed that fining clubs week-in week-out is not in of itself going to be an answer to deal with these growing acts of hooliganism which have an adverse impact on the League, its stakeholders, as well as the sponsors. However, in accordance with the rules of the League and the relevant statutes, all member clubs have agreed that they would take responsibility vigorously for the actions and omissions of their spectators, fans, supporters, and/or officials. And unfortunately, until such time that the rules are re-visited, as and when these infractions happen, I am duty-bound as an enforcer of the rules of the League to proffer charges and upon conviction ask for the sanctions that are ordained in the rule book," he said.
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"It is a matter of public record that in the previous season Kaizer Chiefs appeared at least four times on the same charges before the PSL DC. This season, they have now made a second appearance. The DC has observed that this particular type of misconduct is not only exclusive to Kaizer Chiefs. Last week, Orlando Pirates Football Club suffered the same fate, and it's only a matter of time before other clubs follow suit. This type of misbehaviour, especially by those who claim to love and support their clubs does not augur well for the development of a product that should easily be consumed without difficulties and unpalatable behaviour. The DC directed that this particular issue be re-visited in a manner that will ensure that we think out of the box and the sanctions are such that they also assist in stemming this particular tide. But until that happens, unfortunately we are creatures of the statutes which govern us, and we are enjoined and duty-bound to implement the rule book as it currently stands," concluded Majavu.
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By Masebe Qina
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