Disappointed City boss wants Chiefs clash moved

According to Comitis, more than 800 fans were barred from purchasing tickets for last Sunday’s MTN8 semifinal first-leg clash with Bidvest Wits.

READ: City edge Wits in MTN8 semi-final first leg

As a result, Comitis wants to move City’s upcoming Absa Premiership match against Kaizer Chiefs to Newlands Stadium.

Here is Comitis’ full statement:

I could not get myself to celebrate when the final whistle went. I was angry and disappointed with the attitude of the city and especially the police services under Colonel Engelbrecht, who would not concede to co-operate in any way to assist by allowing more tickets to be sold for the 800 odd fans stranded without tickets.

We have worked around the clock to bring big time football to the city with Cape Town City and 20 years later football is treated with the same stick as always. If this was a rugby 7’s game and the stadium was empty they would move Table Mountain to accommodate the fans.

I went into the VOC to try and persuade the police and ticketing security to allow for at least 800 more sales. The stadium was empty, the final figure was 3800 but we had budgeted for 5000. But, my plea fell on deaf ears. There was zero tolerance, zero co-operation, it seemed they were more excited to be dealing with the possible trouble makers that were stuck outside.

After a thorough investigation, we learnt that security personnel on duty at Cape Town Stadium were within legislation to handle the extra 800 spectators. WHAT A DISGRACE! I want to move our upcoming Absa Premiership match against Kaizer Chiefs, to Newlands. This treatment to the Cape Town City fans was unacceptable. I can only apologise to our loyal fans. I was gutted for them.

With this attitude by City Services, Cape Town Stadium will remain without Bafana games and soon without football. It was mostly families with their kids that were denied access. Hardly a risk factor that could not be managed. We will work tirelessly to ensure that Cape Town City fans are never disappointed in that manner again.