The Premier Soccer League (PSL) on Wednesday announced it had suspended all matches involving Royal AM until the KwaZulu-Natal club presents its case to the league on Friday, 24 January.
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All Royal AM’s matches in the Betway Premiership, including the clash they were scheduled to play against Orlando Pirates at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Thursday night, have been put on hold by the PSL.
In addition, Royal AM’s suspended fixtures include their Nedbank Cup Round of 32 encounter against Milford FC, which was scheduled for Sunday, 26 January at the Harry Gwala Stadium.
Royal AM, who are owned by businesswoman Shauwn ‘MaMkhize’ Mkhize, have not played a league match since their 3-1 defeat against TS Galaxy on 29 December.
Their away fixture against Chippa United, scheduled for 11 January, was postponed after players and staff reportedly went on strike due to the nonpayment of salaries.
‘Could not meet its commitments’
“On January 9 Royal AM FC informed the league it could not meet its commitments in respect of its match against Chippa United FC on January 11 due to difficulties arising from the appointment of a curator,” the PSL said in a statement.
“The executive committee [exco] has since convened three separate meetings seeking the assurance that the club, under curatorship, will be able to meet its fixture commitments in a compliant fashion.
“On January 17 the exco was informed a joint letter of comfort (from the club management and curator) would be provided confirming the issues that led to the club being unable to meet its commitments had been resolved.
“No such letter of comfort has been forthcoming and exco has been left with no alternative but to cancel PSL fixture 106 – Royal AM vs Orlando Pirates, Harry Gwala Stadium at 7.30pm – and to suspend all other Royal AM fixtures until further notice.”
It remains to be seen whether the presentation to the PSL by Royal AM on Friday will bear any positive outcome.
Raided by SARS
Mkhize’s houses in Durban were raided and luxury cars seized last year, as SARS attempted to recoup a R40 million tax debt.
Royal AM delayed paying salaries for November as well as December.
Royal AM are still banned by FIFA from signing players until they settle the R15 million owed to striker Samir Nurkovic.
As a reminder, the PSL also took the decision to suspend their DStv Diski Challenge team in October 2024 as the club did not have enough players.
Royal AM are currently in 15th place in the 16-team standings with just eight log points after 11 matches.
They have scored just five goals in those matches and conceded 15.
Can Royal AM be saved?
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