The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has expressed concern over electioneering at soccer matches across the country.
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) campaigners were in full regalia at last week’s Orlando Pirates vs Mamelodi Sundowns match at Orlando Stadium in Soweto, Johannesburg.
They also attended the CAF Champions League match between Sundowns and Al-Ahly at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria on Saturday. They waved EFF flags and belted out campaign songs.
African National Congress (ANC) campaigners distributed t-shirts at the same match.
EFF seems to have perfected this art, as they were also visible at Banyana Banyana’s match against Jamaica at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Sunday.
Speaking to SowetanLIVE, PSL spokesperson Lux September appealed to political parties to stop using PSL matches for their campaigns.
Football‚ as you know‚ is political. It remains a safe space for people from different backgrounds‚ be it religious‚ race or political. We therefore do not condone anyone who uses this platform for political or religious purposes.
PSL spokesperson Lux September
Some soccer fans also took a dim view at political parties that “hijack” matchers to campaign.
Onthatile Modise tweeted, “I don’t and will never condone this idea of soccer and politics. Please EFF and ANC get your fighting away from us.”
Neo Molefe also wrote, “Mxm these political parties coming to our football matches and in their political party gear doing nothing but ruining everything and creating friction at the stadium.”