By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Premier Soccer League(PSL) has announced that Kaizer Chiefs will play their upcoming home match against Cape Town Spurs without fans.
Chiefs fans pelted former head coach Molefi Ntseki with objects after they were knocked out of the Carling Black Label Knockout.
They were first charged by the league for the misconduct of their fans in Mbombela following their 1-0 loss to TS Galaxy. The same incident happened at Polokwane on the back of a 1-0 defeat to SuperSport United.
In the same period of six months, Chiefs lost another 1-0, this time to AmaZulu in the Carling Knockout Cup, and therefore, triggered the stadium lockout.
The Premier Soccer League’s Disciplinary Committee charged the club for the offense. Since it was the third time it was happening, the Soweto giants have paid a heavier price as opposed to the initial ones as confirmed by PSL’s prosecutor Zola Majavu.
“[Chiefs] were served with a charge sheet, and they appeared before the DC [this morning] where they pleaded guilty and they were subsequently found guilty as charged,” Majavu confirmed.
“With regards to sanctions, it must be borne in mind that a few weeks ago, they were found guilty by the PSL DC on similar charges, and an amount of R50,000 was suspended and there was a further automatic lockout in respect of the next home game, which was also suspended for a period of six months.
“Unfortunately, before the expiry of the period of suspension, they reoffended again in a fixture of October 21 [against AmaZulu].
“As a result, and having listened to all submissions from the prosecutor as well as their representatives, the PSL DC issued the following fresh order. One, the R50,000 that was suspended is now effective immediately,” he continued.
“Two, the lockout that was suspended is now brought into operation and it will be with reference to the next match penciled in for the 8th of November 2023.”
The club faces a further risk of playing another home match in a neutral venue should they repeat the same offence.
Ntseki was sacked after the AmaZulu loss and replaced by Cavin Johnson, who has stepped in as interim head coach. His tenure got off to a losing start on Saturday in Hammarsdale, as Chiefs lost 2-1 to Golden Arrows in the DStv Premiership.