The match was part of the Noordvaal Cup but had to be called off due to the brawl. In a statement, EG Jansen, through the chair of its governing body, Riaan van Aswegen, condemned the violence but revealed the brawl was triggered by racist insults aimed at its players. "Violence, racism, and any other form of unacceptable behavior are fundamentally inconsistent with the school’s values, discipline, and principles," the school expressed.
According to the school, several Menlopark alumni, who were behind the goal area, were reportedly drinking and made racist remarks. These included derogatory terms and comments suggesting that some players "belong on a farm," targeting black and colored players of EG Jansen.
The school also mentioned that parents had reported the abuse to a Menlopark teacher and requested the removal of the rowdy group, but no immediate action was taken. A parent reportedly received crude responses after raising concerns about the incident.
Further allegations state that the conflict escalated when an EG Jansen player was pulled over a fence and attacked, leading to a physical confrontation. Parents reportedly jumped in to defend their children.
The school is now pushing for a thorough investigation and has requested CCTV footage from Menlopark, which unfortunately did not capture the incident. "We're compiling a comprehensive report, including witness statements and other evidence, for the Gauteng Department of Basic Education and remain committed to cooperating with the investigation," van Aswegen added.
EG Jansen has recognized and started disciplinary procedures against the students involved in the incident. They are continuing to gather information to support the investigation and ensure such incidents are thoroughly addressed.
Amidst the chaos, a Menlopark alumnus reportedly used inflammatory language during the clash, which was caught on video and shared widely. Here is the video:
Your browser does not support the video tag.The incident has sparked broader discussions about racism and violence in school sports, highlighting the need for stricter oversight and immediate action in similar situations. EG Jansen is taking steps to address the misconduct and prevent future occurrences, reinforcing the importance of sportsmanship and respect among young athletes.
