Recently, in a domestic cup match between one of the biggest clubs in South Africa, Kaizer Chiefs, originating from Soweto, Johannesburg, playing against Free State Stars at the basket-like Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. The big side Chiefs lost the match and they were eliminated from the cup competition.
At the end of the match, the fans of the above club alighted to the stadium arena and started to smash and bash everything to their sight. Cameras, stadium chairs, goal nets, beating up referees and security personnel, and even burning the chairs in some parts of the stadium.
Many people were reported to nearest hospitals for severe injuries and the culprits, atleast 3 of whom have been caught appeared before the Magistrate shortly after the incident at the match.
The media has been uphauled by this and the legislature has commenced talks with Premier Soccer League and South African Football Association in resolving this matter and having explanations from the SA Police Service about stringent measures that are taken at the soccer matches.
This incident was not the first to hit SA. In the 1990s, a match between Soweto Rivals, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates also ended in blood, 33+ fans being burried under the stadium stand rouble.
This goes to show that violence in soccer matches and in sports in general is still out there and the big question is: what are the authorities doing about it in order to secure the safety of those who are just caught in the fire while enjoying the beautiful game.