PSL welcomes conviction of soccer hooligans

The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has welcomed the conviction of the two men accused of invading the pitch and assaulting referee, Lwandile Mfiki at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in a fixture between Golden Arrows and Kaizer Chiefs on 06 April 2013.

In move that is a major victory against hooliganism at football matches, the Durban Magistrate Court found Velaphi Mkhwanazi guilty of invading the pitch and assaulting Mfiki.

Mkhwanazi was sentenced to a R2 500 fine or 60 days in - prison for common assault and R1 000 fine or 30 days for breaching the Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act.

The second accused, Zenzele Zikhali was also found guilty of pitch invasion. He was sentenced to a R1 000 fine or 30 days and R2 000 or 60 days in -prison for contravening the Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act.

PSL Acting CEO, Cambridge Mokanyane said the convictions should send a message to those who misbehave at stadiums. “The message from these convictions is clear; we do not play lip service when individuals disrupt a football game with acts of hooliganism. This is a positive step towards the right direction. As the PSL, we welcome the news,” Mokanyane said.

PSL General Manager of Safety and Security Phillip Masimong applauded the police for their work. “I would like to thank SAPS for their work in this matter. We are determined to root out all elements of hooliganism at our stadiums. We don’t just talk, we also act to ensure that people are safe at our stadiums.”