Posted in News on May 16, 2006.
Speaking at an ABSA Cup media conference on Monday Ravele said “we are warning any person who is thinking of profiting out of this game, if you are selling tickets for more than the face value you will be arrested”.
When Chiefs played against Super Sport United in the 2003-2004 SAA Supa 8 Final also held in Durban, tickets for the game were sold out weeks in advance, when game time came around the were rows and rows of empty seats in the stadium. At the time many supporters felt hard done by touts who wanted to profit out of selling the tickets at escalated prices. The PSL has now adopted a heay-handed approach towards ticket touts.
The league has also left nothing to chance in terms of security, after being heavily criticized for taking the game to the much smaller ABSA Stadium in Durban, the league have had the game classified as category one match.
Ravele explains further, "with the rivalry and huge fan base of the two teams we have had to give the game the highest classification possible, therefore security arrangements will be done in conjunction with Kwa-Zulu Natal Provincial Police commissioners office and not at city or local level. Security and the safety of fans at this game is of high priority to us as we want people to come to the stadium and enjoy the game in a safe enviroment."
Tickets for the first Cup Final to be played between Chiefs and Pirates since 1988 were sold within hours of going on sale almost a fortnight ago, the cry from many fans has been that a vast amount has landed up in the hands of touts.
The league did ensure that no one person was allowed to purchase more than five tickets for the match, the league has re iterated the fact that persons who are not in possession of tickets should not come to the ABSA Stadium in Durban for the game because buyers and sellers of black market tickets will both be prosecuted. Supporters who are aware of persons selling tickets on the black market are urged to contact their nearest police station.
