Football around the world has been affected by fan misbehaviour and hooliganism. Kaizer Chiefs, arguably the most followed Club in South Africa and around Africa, has not been an exception to this unfortunate state of affairs. Booing of players in a game cannot be isolated from other unruly tendencies as committed in the football world. The booing of players is no different from violent conduct, damage of property or throwing of missiles into the pitch.

Fifa have spread the message of ‘Fair Play’ through various initiatives and Chiefs have previously embarked on many “Anti-Hooliganism” initiatives but the message doesn’t seem to penetrate some sections of the football fans. Players themselves have made strong statements against acts of hooliganism like the players walk-off led by AC Milan's Ghana midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng in protest of racist abuse during a match, a move that is not an option at Chiefs.

Striker Kingston Nkhatha, has been the latest victim of the boo-brigade and his teammates have come out to let their feelings known about this behaviour:

Captain Itumeleng Khune; “The booing continued even after we had made an appeal before the Derby that the supporters must stop this. The booing is not right. This conduct is not acceptable at all. As the Team captain I should be focusing on rallying the players to push for a win but now I end up channelling the energy towards brokering peace between the players and the supporters.

We will stick together as a Team and together with the supporters who are not involved in this act, we will hold hands to encourage the boo-brigade to do the right thing. We are concerned that this act will derail our intentions to defend the Championship and win other trophies for the supporters.”

Bernard Parker; “It happened to me two years ago. When it happened to my striking partner last Saturday, I went to him (Kingston) and encouraged him to hold his head high and focus on the game. I am just appealing to the fans to do the right thing. I cannot understand why they boo the player at the beginning of the game and while the game is still on, that baffles me.

Morgan Gould; “I don’t have words to express my disappointment. We are a family at Chiefs, we are supposed to stand together during the highs and lows of the team. How do we give the best performance if the fans boo us? The fans must support us in the right way. Imagine if it were your father or sister being booed like that? How will you produce results under those circumstances?

Matthew Rusike; “Booing the players affects the morale of the entire team negatively. We are appealing to the supporters to rally behind all the players. They booed Kingston during the Derby and yet he contributed with the equalising goal at the end of it.”

Lucky Baloyi; “Booing leads to loss of concentration for the players. If supporters boo us we get demoralised. We all commit mistakes at some point during the game, and to target a few players can only cause us games that we would have won.”

Lorenzo Gordhino; “When it happened, personally I felt angry and demoralised. As a youngster I don’t think booing of players is good. Players will not be able to express themselves under those conditions. They will be scared to make mistakes. The booing will stick in their subconscious mind. The supporters must support the team and that will see us winning games.

Tefu Mashamaite; “It is violent behaviour. It is people who expect things to go their way at all times. The supporters must exercise patience; it is virtue to do so. I can’t give advice on this one, safe to say, the supporters know very well what to do. At the end of the day it is their decision how they behave at the stadium.

At the end of the day the Amakhosi players have vowed to stick together and continue to work hard to ensure they put smiles on the faces of their supporters. Vina Maphosa, Corporate Communications Manager, has called upon the Amakhosi faithful to voice their concerns through the Club structures and avoid demonstrating their anger at the game. “The Club will work with the supporters, to bring back the Love and Peace,” said the optimistic, Maphosa.

The supporters must let Kaizer Chiefs know why they think it is right to boo their players. Booing the players is giving the opposition the advantage.