Only the referee could stop the game - Khoza

Cape Town - Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates held a joint-media briefing on Monday after two people died at the FNB Stadium on Saturday due to a stampede.

Ahead of the annual Carling Black Label Cup clash between the two Premiership giants, a stampede ensued near Gate J and a number of other spectators were injured during the rush to enter the stadium.

Buccaneers chairperson Irvin Khoza revealed that of the two people to have passed away, only one has been identified by their family members.

"On behalf of Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs we'd like to send our condolences to the families affected,” said Khoza after everyone joined in for a minute of silence.

"Nobody goes to a soccer match to die. So when there is a loss of life it is a real tragedy. No stone will go unturned in the investigation to find out the causes of these tragic events.

"Nothing we say will bring back the lives of those who passed away. The very least we can do is to see what went wrong.”

Khoza said that the referee was the only one that could have stopped the game.

"It's important that a joint investigation that is fair and impartial needs to be initiated on the events that occurred,” Khoza continued.

“The game was not stopped because we had to abide by safety and security regulations. The only person on the pitch is the ref who can stop the game.

"We are asking now for patience to investigate all the facts to see what preventative steps could have been taken."

Amakhosi chairperson Kaizer Motaung added that both club’s were working towards organising a memorial service for the people affected.

"I would like to say we are very much touched about what happened on Saturday because this happened before," said Motaung.

"We are contemplating to organize a memorial service when we get all the identities of the passed on individuals.

"There will be an independent inquiry then we will address the media in due course once more info is gathered."