The PSL, as chaired by Irvin Khoza, could cancel the membership of Royal AM, while also nullifying all their results so far this season. Picture: Itumeleng English, Independent Newspapers
The South African football community is on the brink of unprecedented change as the PSL prepares to convene on Wednesday to discuss the potential expulsion of Royal AM from the Betway Premiership.
The club, owned by Shauwn Mkhize, finds themselves ensnared in turmoil, primarily due to a R40 million debt owed to SARS. This massive financial burden has created severe instability at the club which threatens its very existence.
Royal AM's tumultuous journey took a turn for the worse following a brief but intense court battle.
Media release: Project Laduma
— SA Revenue Service (@sarstax) February 7, 2025
On the 9 May 2024, the Pietermaritzburg division of the KZN High Court granted a preservation order to SARS in respect of the assets of the Shandi Trust… https://t.co/lLr8XSRytU pic.twitter.com/8YXaTMjzzy
A recent High Court verdict has mandated that the struggling club must be sold to meet their financial obligations, leaving the PSL to grapple with the broader implications of such a significant decision: what would it mean for Royal AM and the league overall?
As the football fraternity awaits the results of Wednesday's meeting, the ripple effects of Royal AM's potential expulsion loom large.
There are whispers of the club possibly being sold in Bloemfontein, an echo of history that recalls when Bloemfontein Celtic was acquired by MaMkhize back in 2021.
Currently languishing at the bottom of the league table, Royal AM's performances this season have been nothing short of dismal, managing only one win from 11 matches, alongside five draws and five losses, resulting in a meagre total of eight points.
The current financial crises has led to the indefinite postponement of their fixtures, which has frustrated fans and cast significant doubt on the team’s future participation this season, particularly in high-profile events like the Nedbank Cup.
The club last took to the pitch on December 29 in 2024, suffering a disheartening 3-0 defeat against TS Galaxy. Match-ups scheduled against competitors, including Chippa United and Orlando Pirates, have also been delayed, raising questions about the feasibility of competition this season.
This uncertainty was intensified last week when a court bid aimed at allowing Royal AM to resume play was dismissed, leaving the management scrambling for solutions.
I hope whoever buys Royal AM, will consider returning Bloemfontein Celtic to its rightful home and restoring a beloved piece of South African football heritage.💚
— Mbaliyezwe (@mbali_ndlela) February 17, 2025
I miss these scenes: pic.twitter.com/pzL3BtMksB
Moreover, the NSL handbook complicates the situation further. Article 5.4 specifies that should a club withdraw from the league without having faced every other club at least once, all results from that season would be nullified.
This clause lays bare the dire consequences that a revocation of Royal AM's membership could bring. Coupled with Article 10.16, which allows the PSL executive committee to recommend the cancellation of a club's membership for unresolved financial issues, and the stakes are alarmingly high.
Such a dramatic outcome would not only reverberate through Royal AM but across the entire league, affecting players, teams, and their supporters alike.
The stakes have never been higher for South African football, and the coming days could set a pivotal precedent for the league and its future with various other clubs having been in financial trouble in the past.