Royal AM owner Shauwn Mkhize is reportedly preparing to appeal the Premier Soccer League’s (PSL) decision to terminate the club’s membership. The move comes after a tumultuous period marked by financial instability and administrative challenges, with the club yet to play a single match in 2025.
According to sources, the legal framework for such an appeal remains unclear, as the PSL’s decision was reportedly made in accordance with internal league rules, circumventing the usual PSL Disciplinary Committee process.
According to Sportswire.com, A Royal AM player confirmed that Mkhize, affectionately known in football circles as “MaMkhize,” personally addressed the squad regarding the situation.
“MaMkhize told us that she plans to appeal the PSL’s decision within five days, and we’ve been informed that we will be playing next week,” the player said.
An official from the club echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the team’s expectations to continue competing and warning against underestimating Mkhize’s resolve.
The PSL has since confirmed that the matter will be tabled at the upcoming Board of Governors (BOG) meeting, scheduled for next Thursday at the Sandton Convention Centre.
The league’s drastic decision follows Royal AM’s failure to meet its core obligations, including fielding a team. The club has not played since December 29, when they suffered a 3-1 defeat to TS Galaxy, and still have 19 league fixtures outstanding in the 2024/25 season.
The current crisis is rooted in financial woes that escalated after the South African Revenue Service (SARS) appointed curator Jaco Venter to oversee the club’s operations. Venter was unable to secure a buyer for Royal AM, and a proposed sale to Durban businessman Roy Moodley collapsed after he missed the deposit deadline. This ultimately derailed SARS’ hopes of recouping nearly R40 million in unpaid taxes through the club’s sale.
Royal AM’s financial problems began in earnest in November, when SARS seized Mkhize’s assets and froze club accounts. As a result, player salaries were delayed, with December wages only paid in January. These issues also led to the suspension of PSL grant payments, the loss of their sponsorship deal with Betway, exclusion from the Nedbank Cup, and an indefinite pause to their league campaign.
Currently languishing at the bottom of the Betway Premiership with just eight points from 11 matches, Royal AM faces automatic relegation if the membership termination is upheld. However, due to the severity of the PSL’s decision, they would not be permitted to drop into the Motsepe Foundation Championship, leaving the club’s future in limbo.
All eyes are now on the upcoming BOG meeting, where the fate of Royal AM—and possibly their place in South African football—will be determined.
