The Premier Soccer League Board of Governors convened in a crunch meeting in Johannesburg on Thursday, in order to reach a conclusion regarding the saga surrounding Royal AM.
Multiple reports, including those from FARPost and Sowetan, indicate that the league’s highest decision-making body is strongly considering the expulsion of the KwaZulu-Natal club from the Betway Premiership.
This crucial meeting at the Sandton Convention Centre follows a firm recommendation put forth by the PSL Executive Committee (Exco) last week.
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The Exco’s recommendation to terminate Royal AM’s membership stems from the club being placed under curatorship in the preceding year due to unresolved tax matters involving its owner, Shauwn Mkhize, and the South African Revenue Service (SARS).
A formal circular issued by the PSL on April 2nd, 2025, explicitly outlined the Exco’s stance, stating its resolution to recommend the “The executive committee has resolved to recommend the cancellation of the membership of Royal to the Board of Governors (BoG) of the league in accordance with article 10.16 and/or 10.14 and or 14.6 of the NSL constitution,”.
The ratification of this recommendation by the Board of Governors would have far-reaching consequences for the DStv Premiership. The immediate impact would be a reduction in the league’s size to 15 teams. Furthermore, the results of all 11 league matches played by Royal AM this season would be nullified, triggering a significant reshuffling of the current league standings.
Several teams that secured victories against Royal AM would see their hard-earned points erased. This includes league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who would lose the three points gained from their win. Other affected teams include Polokwane City, AmaZulu, Golden Arrows, and TS Galaxy, all of whom would have their points tallies potentially negatively affected.
At the opposite end of the log, chalking off valuable points for teams battling relegation could prove detrimental. SuperSport United, Cape Town City and Richards Bay have collected valuable points (s) against the now-potentially-expelled club.
Royal AM’s current predicament is the culmination of a series of challenges. In 2023, FIFA imposed a transfer ban on the club due to their failure to settle a contractual dispute involving former striker Samir Nurkovic. Adding to their woes, a recent attempt by the SARS-appointed curator to auction off the club’s assets last month was unsuccessful.
Faced with the club’s apparent inability to meet its financial obligations and operate effectively, the PSL Executive Committee concluded that Royal AM’s continued participation in the league was no longer viable.
As the football fraternity awaits the official announcement from the PSL, the implications of Royal AM’s potential expulsion are significant, promising a dramatic alteration to the landscape of the South African topflight.
More to follow …