ORLANDO Pirates' appeal against a hefty fine for the misbehaviour of their spectators was not heard as scheduled on Friday because "not all the parties attended", the South African Football Association said.
The controversial bid by the champions to get off having to pay an effective R350,000 fine for spectator misbehaviour at last year's Telkom Knockout final was due to be heard by Safa's appeal board.
But the hearing has been postponed and a new date must now be set, a spokesman said. Exactly who did not pitch up for the hearing was not disclosed.
Pirates are challenging the rule that makes them responsible for the behaviour of their fans both in and out of the stadium, whether they are in control of stadium security or not.
It is an important test case that could alter the levels of responsibility for stadium security and affect perceptions of a safe environment for spectators at PSL matches.
Pirates have been clocking up the fines over the past two years for repeated incidents in which their fans have either invaded the pitch or thrown objects onto the turf.
The appeal has led to the postponement of two more recent prosecutions against the club, which could pull their total fines over the past 24 months to close to R1-million.
Pirates were given a suspended R50,000 sentence last year when a fan threw porridge at a match official at a game in Durban.
Then, the club pleaded guilty.
Two months later, after a crowd invasion when they won the league at the Orlando Stadium, Pirates were fined R150,000, of which two-thirds was suspended.
They effectively had to pay R100,000 because their previous suspended fine from the porridge-throwing incident became immediately payable.
Bucs appeal R350,000 fine for spectator misbehaviour
ORLANDO Pirates' appeal against a hefty fine for the misbehaviour of their spectators was not heard as scheduled on Friday because "not all the parties attended", the South African Football Association said.
The controversial bid by the champions to get off having to pay an effective R350,000 fine for spectator misbehaviour at last year's Telkom Knockout final was due to be heard by Safa's appeal board.
But the hearing has been postponed and a new date must now be set, a spokesman said. Exactly who did not pitch up for the hearing was not disclosed.
Pirates are challenging the rule that makes them responsible for the behaviour of their fans both in and out of the stadium, whether they are in control of stadium security or not.
It is an important test case that could alter the levels of responsibility for stadium security and affect perceptions of a safe environment for spectators at PSL matches.
Pirates have been clocking up the fines over the past two years for repeated incidents in which their fans have either invaded the pitch or thrown objects onto the turf.
The appeal has led to the postponement of two more recent prosecutions against the club, which could pull their total fines over the past 24 months to close to R1-million.
Pirates were given a suspended R50,000 sentence last year when a fan threw porridge at a match official at a game in Durban.
Then, the club pleaded guilty.
Two months later, after a crowd invasion when they won the league at the Orlando Stadium, Pirates were fined R150,000, of which two-thirds was suspended.
They effectively had to pay R100,000 because their previous suspended fine from the porridge-throwing incident became immediately payable.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos