Orlando Pirates have apologised to supporters who were unable to enter Orlando Amstel Arena during last Saturday’s Betway Premiership clash against Milford FC after stadium gates were closed on safety grounds.
The Soweto giants confirmed that the decision to lock down the venue was taken by the Venue Operations Centre (VOC) during the match to protect the safety of spectators, players, officials and staff.
Counterfeit tickets blamed
According to the club, the lockdown was triggered by the activities of criminal syndicates operating in and around the stadium precinct.
Pirates said the groups were selling counterfeit match tickets and facilitating the unlawful entry of people without valid tickets, creating an unacceptable safety risk and compromising crowd management.
The club stressed that the decision to close the gates was beyond its control but acknowledged the frustration experienced by genuine supporters who were left outside despite holding valid tickets.
Refund process announced
To assist affected fans, Orlando Pirates have appointed Open Tickets to manage the refund process.
Supporters who purchased valid match tickets but were unable to gain entry because of the stadium lockdown can apply for a refund by contacting support@opentickets.co.za.
The club said only supporters who held valid tickets and were prevented from entering due to the lockdown would qualify for refunds.
Commitment to improve security
Orlando Pirates said they remain committed to working with the Premier Soccer League, stadium management, law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to strengthen matchday operations and combat criminal activity around the stadium.
The Buccaneers added that the aim is to ensure a safe, secure and enjoyable matchday experience for all supporters while preventing the sale of counterfeit tickets and unlawful access to future fixtures.
Orlando Pirates kicked off their defence of the Betway Premiership title with a 2-0 win over Milford FC.
Orlando Pirates will next be in action in a home MTN8 quarter-final against Durban City on Saturday, 8 August at 15:00.
The Buccaneers’ next league assignment will be away from home against AmaZulu on Wednesday, 12 August at 19:30.
