Soweto Derby: Minister sorry for ticketholders locked out of stadium

Minister of Sport, Art, and Recreation Gayton McKenzie has apologised to Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates fans who were locked out of the FNB Stadium during the Soweto Derby match despite having legitimate tickets.

The sold-out game took place at the 95 000 seater-stadium over the weekend. Pirates won the game 1-0 to Chiefs.

GAYTON APOLOGISES TO SOWETO DERBY FANS WHO MISSED MATCH

Like many soccer enthusiasts, Minister of Sport Gayton McKenzie attended the Soweto Derby over the weekend.

The outspoken minister posted a picture of the FNB Stadium, which was packed to capacity.

He tweeted from his X account: “The greatest advert for SA sport,  great respect & admiration for Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs. This is not Africa’s greatest derby. It’s the world’s greatest derby. We had 15 thousand people still outside the stadium.  I salute the owners, fans & sponsors of both teams.”

In the comments section and throughout social media, ticketholders to the match complained about being locked out of the stadium.

@Kabimath: “Some of us bought tickets and we were not allowed to enter the stadium because it was somehow full. Full kanjani while my ticket was not scanned?”

@Vazine_x: “I’m one of the people who stood outside because the stadium was too full. According to the stadium management, they had to close the gates,  meaning some people were let in and sitting in our seats that we paid for”.

@RiriSekgobela: “The stadium was full of people who entered without tickets. I had a ticket, but they didn’t even look at it or scan it”.

Im one of the people who stood outside because the stadium was too full. According to the stadium management. They had to close the gates, meaning some people were let in and seating on our seats that we paid for. @GaytonMcK @alfavina @KaizerChiefs @kaizerm_jr pic.twitter.com/wj6l9mKOny

— Autti (@Vazine_x) February 3, 2025

Gayton responded to one tweep, posting: “I was part of [the] meeting where we decided to close the gates because the stadium reached full capacity. We feared a stampede.”

The minister added: “We are meeting next week to get a better understanding of how this even happened when ppl like yourself had tickets but couldn’t get in. I’m equally curious. Apologies”

CRACKDOWN ON FAKE TICKETS

Meanwhile, Gayton McKenzie has also vowed to crack down on the sale of fake tickets and spectators who did not adhere to seating allocations.

He tweeted: “This is beyond urgent. We are facing an oncoming train with this recurring unattended problem”.

Speaking to SABC, FNB Stadium COO Bertie Grobbelaar warned South Africans not to fall prey to fraudulent tickets, particularly to high-profile events like the Soweto Derby.

“We were concerned because it was sold out two weeks ago. We know the syndicates who operate with fake tickets. So if you haven’t bought a ticket via the official channels [TicketPro], it’s probably fake.”

WERE YOU ONE OF THE SOWETO DERBY TICKETHOLDERS WHO COULDN’T GET INTO THE FNB STADIUM?

Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.

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