BFL struggles with fans management
The Botswana Football League (BFL) has voiced its growing concern over fans arriving late to matches, emphasizing that this trend poses significant security risks. In light of these challenges, the BFL has stated that it may be compelled to postpone kickoff times to ensure the safety of all attendees. As the league continues to prioritize fan security, BFL is urging supporters to arrive early to avoid disruptions and maintain a safe environment during games.
In a commitment to ensuring the safety of fans and players alike, the Botswana Football League has announced its intention to uphold stringent security protocols during all matches, particularly those classified as Category A. Recognizing the potential risks associated with large crowds, the BFL believes in postponing kick off if they anticipate an overwhelming arrival of spectators.
Recently, Category A match between Township Rollers and Mochudi Center Chiefs had its kickoff postponed by 30 minutes on a Sunday evening for the same reason. The CEO of the Botswana Football League, Bennet Mamelodi, stated that the organization prioritizes the safety of fans. They cannot simply proceed with the match to teach people to arrive early, instead, they have a responsibility to create a safe environment.
“We have been very strict about time and encourage fans to buy tickets early and arrive at the stadium on time. However, in cases where we see that there are more people trying to get in, we have the authority to postpone kickoff, and we have no regrets in doing so. At the end of the day, if we do not take that action, we would be putting everyone's safety at risk. Fans can easily cause a stampede and push through to get in if the game hasn’t been stopped. Where there is a possibility of risk, we will act,” he said.
“We will continue to remind fans to purchase tickets in advance and arrive at the stadium on time to avoid delays in kickoff as this affects everything. It impacts the mood of the players and tarnishes the image of football as a whole. Therefore, we want people to do the right thing and not jeopardize the beautiful game by arriving late. Teams are making efforts to organize matchdays, and the overall experience is improving. We encourage everyone not to damage this image by arriving late, as we may be forced to postpone kickoff if necessary,” Mamelodi, noted.
One of the last games of the 2024-2025 FNB Premiership will be the Gaborone Derby, a match between Township Rollers and Gaborone United. This game attracts a large number of fans as it is classified as one of the Category A matches. The first leg of this game had to be postponed due to the overwhelming number of fans arriving late, causing delays in purchasing tickets and entering the stadium.