The fate of the embattled Betway Premiership club Royal AM is set to be sealed on April 10 after the PSL executive committee has decided to recommend cancelling its membership.
In a circular shared with clubs, the PSL wrote that Royal AM “misrepresented material information to the League in its renewal application submitted on 1 July 2024.”
In addition, the memo alleges that the club “transferred shares contrary to the provisions of Article 14:6 of the NSL Constitution”.
Notably, the NSL handbook states that the league can enforce sanctions resulting in suspension and relegation in severe situations. Article 10:16 reads, “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.”
The Durban outfit fell under SARS curatorship earlier in the year as the taxman sought to recover a debt of about R40 million associated with a family trust linked to businesswoman Shauwn Mkhize.
Attempts to sell the club were fruitless after the potential buyer failed to pay the required deposit necessary to finalise the closing process.
“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,” reads the circular.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT REGARDING ROYAL AM?
The Shauwn Mkhize-owned club was suspended from playing in January after playing only 11 games this season. On April 10, the board of governors, which is comprised of other clubs in the PSL, will have to approve the verdict to cancel Royal AM’s affiliation with the league.
There are indications that member clubs are unanimous in ending the Thwihli Thwahla saga. If the verdict to cancel is approved, Royal AM’s status in the professional ranks will be revoked.
The Handbook further addresses what happens when a member club is expelled before playing all 15 teams in the league.
Article 5:4 reads, “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.”
Should the league enforce Article 57:13 [expulsion], all of Royal AM’s results will be expunged as though they never participated. The 2024/25 Betway Premiership season would have to continue with only 15 clubs instead of 16.
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