Minister of Sport, Artwork, and Recreation Gayton McKenzie has apologised to Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates followers who have been locked out of the FNB Stadium through the Soweto Derby match regardless of having authentic tickets.

The sold-out recreation happened on the 95 000 seater-stadium over the weekend. Pirates gained the sport 1-0 to Chiefs.

GAYTON APOLOGISES TO SOWETO DERBY FANS WHO MISSED MATCH

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

The outspoken minister posted an image of the FNB Stadium, which was packed to capability.

He tweeted from his X account: “The best advert for SA sport,  nice respect & admiration for Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs. This isn’t Africa’s best derby. It’s the world’s best derby. We had 15 thousand individuals nonetheless exterior the stadium.  I salute the homeowners, followers & sponsors of each groups.”

Within the feedback part and all through social media, ticketholders to the match complained about being locked out of the stadium.

@Kabimath: “A few of us purchased tickets and we weren’t allowed to enter the stadium as a result of it was by some means full. Full kanjani whereas my ticket was not scanned?”

@Vazine_x: “I’m one of many individuals who stood exterior as a result of the stadium was too full. Based on the stadium administration, they needed to shut the gates,  that means some individuals have been let in and sitting in our seats that we paid for”.

@RiriSekgobela: “The stadium was full of people that entered with out tickets. I had a ticket, however they didn’t even have a look at it or scan it”.

Im one of many individuals who stood exterior as a result of the stadium was too full. Based on the stadium administration. They needed to shut the gates, that means some individuals have been 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 1 tweep, posting: “I used to be a part of [the] assembly the place we determined to shut the gates as a result of the stadium reached full capability. We feared a stampede.”

The minister added: “We’re assembly subsequent week to get a greater understanding of how this even occurred when ppl like your self had tickets however couldn’t get in. I’m equally curious. Apologies”

CRACKDOWN ON FAKE TICKETS

In the meantime, Gayton McKenzie has additionally vowed to crack down on the sale of faux tickets and spectators who didn’t adhere to seating allocations.

He tweeted: “That is past pressing. We face an oncoming practice with this recurring unattended downside”.

Talking to SABC, FNB Stadium COO Bertie Grobbelaar warned South Africans to not fall prey to fraudulent tickets, notably to high-profile occasions just like the Soweto Derby.

“We have been involved as a result of it was offered out two weeks in the past. We all know the syndicates who function with pretend tickets. So for those who haven’t purchased a ticket through the official channels [TicketPro], it’s in all probability pretend.”

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

Tell us by leaving a remark under, or ship a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.

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