Arrows vs Leopards called off

Johannesburg - The Premiership match between Golden Arrows and Black Leopards was postponed in Umlazi, outside Durban, on Saturday after tear gas swept across the King Zwelithini Stadium, affecting some of the players.

Only 10 minutes of the match had elapsed when the smoke began to drift over the ground, starting from the south side of the venue and then slowly passing through the main grand stand and presidential area.

The players from both teams ran off the field covering their faces with their jerseys.

The tear gas came from a political meeting around 200 metres from the ground, which reportedly turned ugly and forced police to intervene.

After the air had cleared and officials gave the green light to continue, Leopards management lodged a complaint that some of their players were unable to resume because they were unwell.

Ugandan goalkeeper Posnett Omony was among three players from the Limpopo club that had to be taken to hospital.

Some spectators were also said to be affected.

“The match... has been postponed due to security reasons emanating from outside the King Zwelithini Stadium,” the Premier Soccer League said in a statement.

Bheki Manzi, the league’s head of security in Kwa-Zulu Natal, announced over the loudspeaker, about half an hour after the match had started, that the game had been called off.

Arrows were 13th in the standings ahead of the weekend matches, with Leopards propping up the bottom of the log.