The
Premier Soccer League (PSL) yesterday held a successful meeting with high
ranking members of the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The
meeting was attended by the PSL Acting CEO, Cambridge Mokanyane, PSL GM of
Football, Derek Blanckensee, PSL GM of Safety and Security Phillip Masimong.
During
a three-hour meeting, a number of matters were discussed by the two parties.
Chief amongst those was the spate of hooliganism by a faction of supporters at
football matches two months ago.
After
the discussions, Mokanyane said the meeting was the first major step towards
ensuring that the PSL and the SAPS work hand in glove to ensure that football
spectators who attend PSL matches feel safe.
Mokanyane
said: “We had a very productive operational meeting with the leadership of the
SAPS. We really wanted to reinforce the commitment between the PSL and SAPS on
curbing spectator misbehaviour. SAPS are a very important stakeholder to the
PSL. We have adopted a zero tolerance towards hooliganism.”
SAPS
Divisional Commissioner Operations Response Services, Lieutenant General Elias
Mawela said: “The SAPS and the PSL had extensive discussions on how we are
going to manage and combat troublesome spectators at football games. As a
country, we have done very well in hosting and managing many major events. We
have created a high standard for ourselves. We have a legacy to protect.”
