It has been a bad few days for Orlando Pirates, who now have to pay a massive fine for supporter misbehaviour, after an Arbitration hearing found that the club is responsible for its fans.
Fined
Advocate Ntsietso Mofokeng confirmed the fine to KickOff.com: “The amount that had been suspended was R100,000, and in the previous case it was R250,000 but that was wholly suspended. So Pirates will have to pay R100,000.”
Background
In August last year, when Pirates lost 3-0 to SuperSport United in the MTN8 semi-final second leg at Orlando Stadium, a faction of home supporters threw objects on the pitch during and after the game, with at least one supporter and one photographer being injured.
At the time the PSL again “strongly condemned” the behaviour of Pirates’ supporters – but the club had already been fined for spectator misbehaviour four times since March 2011.
Appeals
Pirates appealed the charges, challenging the interpretation of the National Soccer League rules, which state that they are liable for the conduct of their spectators. The club felt it should not always be responsible for its fans, especially at matches occurring at stadiums where it was not in control of security.
The matter was taken to the Safa Appeals Board at the beginning of November, where Pirates’ appeal was dismissed, with costs.
Arbitration hearing released today
Today the PSL released the results of the Arbritration hearing, which has also upheld the original decision of the PSL Discliplinary Committee.
In a statement, the PSL says it “welcomes” the ruling.
“Pirates were contesting the constitutionality of Rule 53 of the League’s rules which has the effect that a club is liable for the behavior of its supporters at football matches. Simultaneous with the appeal to Safa Appeals Board, Pirates had applied to the DC to suspend all other proceedings relating to Rule 53 until its appeal was finalised. As a result, all cases relating to spectator misbehavior were frozen by the DC pending the finalisation of this matter. This resulted in a backlog for the League,” the statement reads.
“On 29 May 2012, the PSL DC had found Pirates guilty of spectator misbehaviour after their fans invaded the pitch following their victory over Bidvest Wits in the Telkom Knockout final in December 2011. Pirates appealed the decision and The Safa Appeals Board confirmed the DC decision and dismissed Pirates appeal with costs.
“Subsequently, the case went for arbitration.”
For more details go to www.kickoff.com
Follow us on @Taung_DailyNews
The Guardian 