Industry News

Operator alleges stolen Computicket passes led to fatal Soccer City stampede

Fake tickets from Computicket might have played a role in the stampede that led to two deaths at a high-profile football match at Johannesburg’s huge Soccer City Stadium.

Stadium Management South Africa (SMSA), which manages the venue, is pushing for an investigation to determine the origin of what appears to be fake tickets that led to crushing at a derby match on Saturday between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.

The 87,000-capacity Soccer City – also known as FNB Stadium – hosted the 2010 Fifa World Cup final between Spain and the Netherlands. It also staged Nelson Mandela’s memorial in 2013, which was broadcast live around the world.

According to the Eye Witness News website, SMSA said a preliminary investigation showed that the incident was caused by a group of fans with fraudulent tickets trying to gain access to the stadium. It is reported that police confiscated about 3,000 counterfeit tickets that fans had in their possession at the Carling Black Label Cup match.

SMSA chief executive Jacques Grobbelaar said the tickets were clearly printed as if from South Africa-based ticket operator Computicket.

He said: “The stock is serial numbered, it should be locked away, it should be signed out against proper registers. Our inference at this stage is that the ticket stock had been stolen.”

As well as Soccer City, SMSA operates the three other major arenas in Johannesburg: Orlando Stadium, Dobsonville Stadium and Rand Stadium. Computicket is headquartered in Johannesburg.

IMAGE: Shine 2010