Fans can’t just call for strike action as they please, there should be a checkbox for this sort of thing.
Calling for a strike – a form of demonstration which is often used as a last resort to force an issue – is a serious action.
And last week, that’s exactly what Kaizer Chiefs fans did, with #KaizerChiefsProtest trending on social media.
This was a call by some fans to join a march to the Amakhosi Naturena headquarters to demand some answers for the team’s poor performance and call for the resignation of club General Manager for Football Bobby Motaung, who is also the first born son of founder Kaizer Motaung.
Anything that has to do with Chiefs online and offline will always draw attention, so it’s no surprise that this trended.
The trouble with such calls for action via social media is that it can’t be anticipated what the reaction will be on the ground, should the strike happen.
PSL clubs generally have supporters branches – some of these are recognised by the clubs and some might not be taken that seriously.
Chiefs easily have the highest number of members and have been the most active when it comes to activating and sending representatives to visit their branches wherever they play.
They have clear communication lines and constitutions, so it was surprising that a strike action would be called by Chiefs members on social media without the backing of the branches.
And this is where I feel fans in Mzansi have failed themselves and as a result, fans haven’t had the influence to truly affect any change in the local game.
Most recently, social media went crazy with fans, media, players and football lovers globally venting their anger about the announcement of the European Super League.
The clubs involved and organisers of the Super League felt it and it was cancelled less than two days after the announcement.
Such was the power of social media, it influenced a decision and fan power won.
Manchester United fans took it a step further and took their protest to the pitch before the kickoff against one of their fiercest rivals Liverpool last week and forced the match to be postponed to tomorrow.
This was the first time that a Premier League match had been forced to be abandoned for non-weather or without a threat of a bomb or an outbreak like Covid-19.
Such is the potential power of fans. The Man United fans say their plan was to get the game delayed or abandoned and stick it to the owners, the Glazer family.
And stick it to the Glazers they did, hitting them where it hurts because the club now lost a potential new kit sponsor with their current deal with Aon coming to an end after this season.
So you see how far things can go? It’s very careless for people to just go on social media and push for such a serious type of protest action like a strike against Chiefs without considering the consequences.
There’s Covid. How will the crowds be controlled and who takes responsibility for all this?
bhey called on police to control the strike. Why? Chiefs are just one of hundreds of local member clubs in South Africa. Why should police leave their normal place of work to attend to private matters?
What if people act rowdy and there’s injuries?
These are just three basic questions I have for them.
So after this strike, what happens when other clubs also decide to do the same at some stage?
It’s really important to sit back and think sometimes, especially in a free and democratic country like ours.
Sit down and perhaps draw that basic table of pros and cons. Write them down and see if the pros truly do outweigh the cons.
Also please consider what type of fan you are. The Man United fans have organised groups like United We Stand, outside of the supporters clubs, with leadership structures and spokespeople.
And you? Are you a registered member of the club fan structures in any way?
When was the last time you’ve been to the stadium to watch your “favourite” team Chiefs play?
When was the last time you visited the Chiefs website?
When was the last time you bought a piece of merchandise from this favourite club of yours?
These are just a few there are many and this applies to all fans.
Bobby Motaung has said before that he would never resign and they would do as they please at the club that he called a “family business”.
Now do you think he is fazed by social media fans?
There are no branches that have come forward to endorse this hashtag, which only benefits the powers that be.
SA football bosses have been smiling all the way to the bank because SA fans are not as united as the Man United fans, for example.
So please ouens, don’t waste your credits and our time on something that you are unsure will have a favourable outcome. You risk not being taken seriously when something really serious happens in the future and we’ll all lose.
Yes, Chiefs are not doing well and that affects a lot of people. I totally get it, but surely there is a better strategy to get the club to recognise your pain.