Royal AM’s PSL future are in jeopardy, as the league set to seal club’s fate.
The clock is ticking for Royal AM, as the PSL executive committee has officially recommended cancelling the club’s membership. The final decision now rests with the board of governors, who will meet on April 10 to seal the embattled club’s fate.
A circular distributed to clubs outlined the reasons behind this drastic move. The PSL accused Royal AM of providing “misrepresented material information” in its renewal application on July 1, 2024. Furthermore, the league claims the club “transferred shares contrary to the provisions of Article 14:6 of the NSL Constitution.”
Severe consequences loom for Royal AM
The NSL handbook makes it clear—serious infractions can lead to suspension or even relegation. Article 10:16 states, “Should a member club not be able to fulfil its obligations to the league or be wound-up, the executive committee may recommend cancellation of its membership to the board of governors.”
Royal AM’s troubles deepened earlier this year when the South African Revenue Service (SARS) placed the club under curatorship. Authorities moved to recover nearly R40 million in unpaid taxes tied to a family trust linked to businesswoman and club owner, Shauwn Mkhize.
An attempted sale of the club also collapsed when the prospective buyer failed to make the necessary deposit, leaving the Durban-based side in limbo.
PSL Clubs set to vote on April 10th
With the executive committee standing firm on its recommendation, the final call now rests with the board of governors—comprised of other PSL clubs.
“The Executive Committee today resolved to recommend the cancellation of the membership of Royal AM to the board of governors of the league in accordance with Articles 10:16 and/or 10:14 and/or 14:6 of the NSL Constitution,” the circular confirmed.
Royal AM has already been suspended from competing since January, after playing just 11 matches in the current season. If the board of governors approves the cancellation, the club will lose its status in professional football.
What happens next if Royal AM is expelled?
There is strong consensus among PSL member clubs to bring an end to the Royal AM saga. Should the board vote in favour of the cancellation, the league will enforce Article 5:4 of the NSL handbook.
That rule states, “Should a member club withdraw from the league after the start of the season but before the member concerned has played against every other member club in its division at least once, then all results of that member club will be expunged from the league as if the member club had not participated at all.”
If Article 57:13 is enforced, all of Royal AM’s results from the current season will be erased from league records. This would mean the 2024/25 Betway Premiership season will continue with only 15 teams instead of the usual 16.
With financial woes, administrative missteps, and mounting opposition from other PSL clubs, Royal AM’s future looks bleak. Unless a last-minute resolution emerges before April 10, the club faces expulsion, marking a dramatic fall from grace for the once-prominent outfit.
Stay tuned with The South African as Royal AM’s PSL future are in jeopardy.
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