”Don’t go near FNB Stadium if you don’t have a ticket,” was the stark warning from the Premier Soccer League (PSL) on Friday after all 73 000 tickets available to the public for the three-game Telkom Charity Cup extravaganza at FNB Stadium had been sold out.
Strict security has also been implemented to cater for what is expected to be a crowd of 80 000 overall on Saturday, with officials sensitive about how any problems or shortcomings could reflect on international opinion prior to the staging of the 2010 World Cup.
Admission for the mammoth display of soccer and entertainment combined, which extends over a period close to 10 eventful hours, is a relatively modest R35 for adults and constitutes what is invariably the biggest crowd-puller on the PSL calendar.
The major portion of the seating, however, will not be apportioned on a reserved basis — an arrangement that will be essential at all World Cup games.
Saturday’s first semifinal between Orlando Pirates and Bloemfontein Celtic was scheduled for 9.30am, with the showpiece second semifinal between holders Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs due to kick off at noon.
The final between the two winning teams was scheduled to start between 4.30pm and 5pm — depending on the completion of the mammoth programme of traditional side events — and the PSL was hoping for a record amount of more than R3,5-million emerging to aid an assortment of charities. — Sapa