Pirates fans go ballistic

Johannesburg - Orlando Pirates fans showed their dismay at the team's home loss on Saturday night by hurling objects, including vuvuzelas, onto the pitch and at stadium security.

The Buccaneers, defending champions of the MTN8 cup, were eliminated from the competition after a 3-0 defeat to SuperSport United in the second-leg semi-final at Orlando Stadium.

The match descended into chaos when key striker Benni McCarthy was sent off just before the half-time break after he was shown a second yellow card by the match referee.

"Human beings sometimes react [to] a wrong decision," Pirates coach Augusto Palacios said after the match.

"It happens in football. I can't stop it. It's wrong, but I can't stop it."

During the game three fireworks were lit, and one was thrown at United goalkeeper Rowen Fernandez.

The match had to be halted in the 66th minute as the referee called players into the centre circle, waiting for the crowd to calm down as fireworks were lit.

The delay was short and play resumed in a matter of minutes.

Police were called to the stadium after full-time, and a heavy-duty police vehicle drove onto the field as a precautionary measure.

Two fans were seen arrested by stadium security in the players' tunnel after the game, shortly before the post-match media conference.