Jose Riveiro has had his say on the violent scenes that ensued at Orlando Stadium just after the final whistle as they defeated MC Alger on aggregate to progress in the CAF Champions League.
Having won the first leg 1-0 in Algeria, Pirates went into Wednesday's second leg of the quarterfinals in need of only a clean sheet to secure a spot in the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League.
That they did, drawing 0-0 draw against MC Alger at Orlando.
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The full-time celebrations were cut short, though, as conflict erupted between the two technical teams and players shortly after full-time. At some point, even spectators stormed the pitch in an attempt to protect Bucs players.
Eventually, police intervention was needed to calm the things.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Riveiro said he was yet to get clarity on what really happened, but he applauded the Pirates supporters for coming out in numbers.
"How can I say... I don't really know what happened, and now we are probably going to space to know who started the fight," said the Spaniard .
"But I think it doesn't matter. I think for me, for us and for my group, football is something else. It is something special. It is something that cannot get dirty with this type of behaviour. It is unacceptable.
"Whatever happened, as I said, probably everyone made mistakes, but those behaviours must be as far away as possible from these types of spectacles, far from sport because we don't really need it.
"We have to learn how to win, and we have to learn how to lose, and we have to accept whatever the result is.
"Again, I don't really know because I was just sitting on the bench when everything started. I was trying to understand the dimension of what we had just achieved a few seconds before and then, all of a sudden, everything was a mess in front of me.
"But yes, we will probably start to see some pictures and I hope the people who see themselves on those pictures feel embarrassed enough to not repeat it again and we can have a normal football game every time we come to the game.
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"Like I said before, I think our fans are a good example all around the world about what it means to watch a football game. To go to the stadium and enjoy with a good spirit and a good mood.
"That's it. Lke I said, I don't want to say much because I do not have the full information, but hopefully, it's the last time we have these scenes in Orlando," added the affable gaffer.
Pirates are alongside their next opponents Pyramids FC, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Al Ahly among the four teams left standing.
