CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe has promised a robust response to the growing menace of stadium violence in Africa, emphasizing that fan safety must be a top priority.
In recent years, stadium violence has become a pervasive issue in Africa, and the 64-year-old South African billionaire has vowed to eradicate such acts during his tenure.
Speaking at a media briefing in Accra on Friday, Motsepe said,“to have a single fan injured at a stadium is something that we do not want to experience under any circumstances. And worse still, to have a single fan lose their life is something that we can never take enough precautionary measures against.”
The assurance follows recent violent incidents across the continent, including a deadly tragedy in Guinea last December that claimed over 50 lives, clashes between Esperança and Mamelodi Sundowns fans during a CAF Champions League match in South Africa, and a fatal incident involving a fan in Ghana.
Motsepe stressed that CAF is “steadfastly committed to ensuring that stadiums are safe spaces where our football spectators, fans, and supporters can feel comfortable and secure, including from a health perspective.”
To achieve this, CAF is conducting a thorough review of international best practices to enhance stadium safety across Africa.
“The starting point is to look at what other countries are doing,” Motsepe explained. “We are assessing where and in which stadiums the safest environments have been created for spectators.”
The CAF Secretariat is engaging with experts in Europe and other parts of the world to study proven methods for maintaining order and safety during football matches.
“There is an ongoing process. The determination and the commitment are very deep and steadfast,” he assured.
With this commitment, CAF is poised to make African football stadiums safer for fans, restoring the joy and excitement of the beautiful game.
