South African security guard seriously injured after Kaizer Chiefs Nedbank Cup defeat sparks violent riot
Video: South African police say two people have been arrested with more arrests imminent
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Your support makes all the difference.South African police say two people have been arrested with more arrests imminent, after a violent riot broke out after Kaizer Chiefs lost 2-0 to Free States Stars in the Nedbank Cup semi-final.
Violence first began to broke out in the stands of the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban from the moment the Kaizer Chiefs, one of the most successful and best supported clubs in South Africa, conceded a second goal.
When the final whistle then blew and confirmed their exit, hundreds of fans then ripped up parts of the stadium, invading the field and seriously assaulting at least one security guard.
Police responded with stun grenades to disperse the rioters, and television pictures showed riot police storming the field and a white armored police vehicle racing across the edge of the pitch.
South African Police Services spokeswoman Nqobile Gwala on Sunday confirmed the arrests and said the two people were facing charges of public violence and malicious damage to property.
In the most disturbing scenes, a female security guard was set upon by a group of supporters on the field. She lay on the ground as they hit her with plastic chairs. A man then kicked her twice in the head. After the second kick she lay motionless and face down on the grass.
Police spokeswoman Gwala did not say if anyone had died in the violence, saying police had no information yet from stadium or medical authorities on any deaths.
Once the rioting fans had been brought under control, Kaizer Chiefs head coach Steve Komphela immediately resigned after the game.
“We have to cut this culture of ill-discipline and delinquency. I have to be responsible and protect the players and administration, and set an example that this must stop,” he said.
“If it has to stop with me, then it must be so ... I am effectively saying to you that I consider it my responsibility to protect everybody at stake.”
The Kaizer Chiefs are one of the most supported clubs in South Africa, with the highest average home attendance of any of the South African Premier Soccer League clubs.
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