Pirates and Sundowns hooligans must be shown the red card

At first glance it seems like a pretty routine process taking its course, doesn't it?

But the PSL, via its independent prosecutor, has taken nearly four weeks to charge the two clubs. 

Both clubs are set to appear before the Premier Soccer League Disciplinary Committee (DC) on 9 March.

On the surface, the process leading up to the convening of the DC and communicating it's decision to prosecute the offending teams, seems pretty routine, but on closer inspection it does seem there has been a fair amount of dragging of heels. 

Sure, the DC legal brains will claim they have been awaiting reports from various stakeholders on what went down, but surely it must have been in the PSL's own interests  to try conclude the matter as swiftly as possible.

The PSL DC is totally impartial and made up of astute legal minds and it is hoped that, no matter what the outcome, they make a bold statement regarding hooliganism in matches under the PSL's watch.

Based on past sentences imposed, the monetary penalty option is the most common -- hit their bottom line -- while identifying, banning and even jailing individual culprits has not proved popular or enforceable.

Even the worst case scenario has very rarely been enforced on offending clubs -- ordering them to play a number of games behind closed doors, which is a popular measure across the world.

If the disciplinary process had been swifter and the latter sentence was passed, a potential spectator ban on the Buccaneers may have included a money-spinning Soweto Derby on March 3rd.

This particular derby, however, is a Kaizer Chiefs home game and falls under that club's event planning and management, so it may not have been applicable. The ban would in all likelihood only have included

Pirates home games, but one cannot assume that might have been the case.

"We, as the PSL, are obliged to abide by any DC decision as they are an entirely independent body," commented PSL media manager Lux September.

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"If they order us to go on an expedition to the moon, then we have to abide by the decision," quipped Spetember.

September added that it is the independent responsibility of the nominated prosecutor to determine when hearings would be held and could not confirm whether the lengthy delay was just part of a normal routine procedure.

There was also the fear raised that the Pirates Chairman just happens to be the Chairman of the League as well, which may compromise the severity of the punishment.

But to Dr Khoza's credit, that theory vanished when the Buccaneers Chairman simply used the fifth amendment and simply left it to due legal process to take its course.

* Pirates were charged with contravening Rule 54 of the NSL (National Soccer League) Rules arising from the conduct of their supporters at the match after the club's supporters invaded the pitch, threw objects and vandalized and damaged private property during the game.

* Home side Sundowns were charged with failure to provide adequate security at the match resulting in their supporters and that of the visiting club invading the demarcated pitch area, causing damage to property and throwing objects at a persons and onto the pitch. The club were also charged for the misconduct of their supporters.

Bloemfontein Celtic could also be in hot water after violent fan behaviour marred that team's 3-0 defeat by Platinum Stars at Petrus Molemela Stadium on Saturday.

That incident is being assessed by the PSL's independent prosecutor and the league is waiting for his recommendations on who, if anybody, should be held accountable.

Based on that, lessons are clearly not being learned and it is time to show an iron fist and hit the clubs and their fans where it hurts the most, if anything, as a major deterrent.