There will be harsh repercussions for the unruly fan who disgraced himself by spoiling the Blues 29-23 victory over the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld, in Pretoria, on Saturday.
Rugby 365 reports that the post-match celebrations of a thrilling match were soured with the news that Blues captain Keven Mealamu was hit by a bottle thrown by a Bulls fan.
And the Blue Bulls Company again expressed their refusal to tolerate unsportsmanlike behaviour with steps to prevent a repeat of such loutish behaviour.
Not only has the BBC ‘named and shamed’ the lout, Johannes Gideon Nel, but they have sincerely apologised to the Blues on behalf of their board, managers, team and supporters.
Photo courtesy of 15.co.za
In a statement issued on Sunday the BBC said as a result of the unruly behaviour of a Bulls fan at the game company CEO Barend van Graan has telephonically apologised to Bryce Anderson, the manager of the Blues.
“Our High Performance Manager, Ian Schwartz, apologised to Blues captain Keven Mealamu at the post match conference,” Van Graan said in the statement.
“Mealamu not only accepted his apology on behalf of the company, but was also impressed with the way in which we immediately sorted out the matter.
“I have spoken to Anderson and apologised on behalf of our board of directors, managers, Bulls team and supporters. I am delighted that Anderson and Mealamu have accepted our apology for this unfortunate incident.”
The BBC also revealed that there will be harsh repercussions for the unruly fan and explained that further steps will be taken to avoid a repeat of such incidents.
The disorderly behaviour by Nel resulted in the individual being arrested and removed from Loftus Versfeld as the BBC continue to crack down on fans that step out of line.
Immediately after the final whistle in the Bulls’ loss to the Blues, Nel dodged security and threw a plastic bottle in the direction of the players – striking winning Blues captain Keven Mealamu.
Nel was immediately arrested, according to the BBC CEO, Van Graan.
“We absolutely refuse to accept this unsportsmanlike behaviour and have arrested the individual,” he said.
“The Blue Bulls Company works tirelessly to create an environment that is friendly and fair to all ages, races and nationalities.
“We want to warn our fans that irrespective of our on field performances, we will not accept ‘fans’ taking out their anger on our opponents. We will respond to this matter timeously and follow the necessary procedures in order to ensure that this individual learns his lesson.”
Nel was immediately escorted to the security control room and later taken to the Sunnyside police station where a charge of assault has been laid against him.
Van Graan concluded: “We will continue to enforce even stricter security measures as behaviour like this is not welcome at Loftus.”
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I can’t use half the words i want to to describe this idiot. 😳
I think I’m going to take up poetry, is there a name for a writing style with a bunch of randon sentences in different languages?
The rose will PRICK your finger.
Ek sit my skoene in a DOOS
die DROL is in die drinkwater
Billy Connoly tells a good joke about a tattooed F%^KWIT.
No I’m not any good at this style.
I’ll just bin my scheduled post then, shall I?
Dumb tjop.
PS when I started reading this article I kept thinking the BBC were taking an unusual interest in this story. The British Broadcasting Corporation… 😀
Total idiot – real embarrassment to SA rugby. 👿
@robdylan (Comment 3) : OH F%^&K Sorry 😳
I wonder if he’s related to JP Nel
@robdylan (Comment 7) : 😆 NEVER!!!!!! He is about the same size as Nel’s one thigh.
If that was James Dalton, Nel would not have been standing when the picture was taken.
How stupid can 1 be,taking on Keven Mealamu
Stupid a**hole! Despite my disdain for the Bulls, I must profess that I can respect the manner they dealt with this; fast and professional
What do you expect from a bulls fan 😆
Hahaha..very offended Honey Badger
I wonder what would have happened if it was Coenie Oosthuizen hit with the bottle?
Either way, hats off to the Bulls for their swift action, suitable punishment for such a big little fan, lifetime ban from any public sporting event in the country
@Die Kriek (Comment 14) : Coenie doesn’t have the restraint that Mealamu has I can assure you of that. 🙂
Mealamu did the right thing by not flattening the fool. All that would have done is made Mealamu the bad guy and this fool the victim.
The Blue Bulls company have handled this very well by acting immediately and decisively.
Johannes Gideon Nel, can hook up with Piet v Zyl and the two can watch TV together on the telly.
Johnny Skidmarks 🙄
Thumbs up to the BBC 😎
@JarsonX (Comment 17) : 😀
Johan! Hoekom is jou broek so bruin?
Only in Snor City.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 18) : Exactly
I was at the game. We had an overseas visitor for the weekend who wanted to go to loftus, not my idea. It was bloody shocking. The Bulls fans around us hurled abuse at the ref – even though he gave most of the penalties to the Bulls – the Blues and at the end of the game at their own players.
Booing during kicks were a common occurrence. It’s bloody embarrassing.
This guy should be banned from all SA stadiums for life.
Not long ago some Sharks fan pulled the same stunt at the Tank, I think the bottle was aimed at the ref/tj though.
Ah well you cant fix stupid, not even with duct tape! 🙄
@Salmonoid (Comment 22) :
I was at that game…..and it was aimed at the ref. Sharks s Chiefs 2010
Weldone to Basson for reacting quickly and containing the issue too.
@Honey Badger (Comment 12) :
You get idiots everywhere!
They are all around us!
Every day!
Everywhere!
Any time!
Help! 😯
If you’re going to pick a fight with anyone on that field why of all people would you choose Mealamu?! 😯
I hope that idiot gets a very harsh sentence.
@StevieS (Comment 27) : Maybe Mealamu was the biggest player close to the guy, therefor less chance of missing with the bottle.
Obviously Nel didn’t think this through to well before acting on it. 🙂
@KSA Shark © (Comment 28) : Hahaha it seems more like he didn’t think at all 😆
This guy is a disgrace and his actions give all Bulls supporters a bad name Problem is, as someone else pointed out, there can be a bad apple in any batch. Pleased to see that the chop was dealt with quickly. Can’t understand what was going on in this guys head because rather than throw the bottle, he just lobbed it. Zero tolerance though and good to see he was charged!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDy2hcUXvvE&feature=youtube_gdata_player
check out this video from a cellphone camera in the crowd. Whats even more pathetic is the crowds reaction at Mealamu. Would have loved to see Mealamu give him a snotklap. But he’s a better man. Respect.
@Crock (Comment 31) : and the title Bulls Fan Throws Mealamu with water bottle…
@Crock (Comment 31) : that is frightening… how the hell did the guy get there and stay there so long undetected? He was the first guy to go over to Basson and stayed there with him for about a minute. WHERE WAS THE SECURITY? Or WAS this guy one of the security guards?
What is rather shameful is all the Pretoria tannies shouting their obscenities
@Crock (Comment 31) :
Shit.. Now I really want to go to Loftus..
What a bunch of bad mouthing idiots..
Disgraceful Afrikaners, I’m afraid!
@lostfish (Comment 32) : Bwhahahahahahahahaha 😆
Now please pity us poor buggers who has to live in this awful part of the world.
@lostfish (Comment 34) : @Richard Ferguson (Comment 35) : I mean would’t it make more sense if at least they badmouthed the idiot?
@robdylan (Comment 33) : That is the real question and crux of this incident – not the nutter himself but how he got there.