After months of turmoil, Royal AM players have returned to training at the Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg, following the reported sale of the club.
The latest development comes after Durban-based businessman Roy Moodley emerged as the successful bidder for Durban-based businesswoman Shauwn Mkhize’s troubled club, according to the Hollywoodbets Sports Blog.
One of four KwaZulu-Natal football clubs, Royal AM have endured a tumultuous season after falling into maladministration forcing the Premier Soccer League to postpone 13 of their matches amid financial troubles.
Despite a back lash from the club’s ownership who contested the financial challenges in court, the club’s operations were taken over by a SARS curator in January, amid Mkhize’s outstanding tax debt of R40 million.
The dilema had left the club’s players in limbo, and they had not participated in a single Betway Premiership game since the turn of the year. The ramifications extended into the Nedbank Cup, with their round of 32 match against Milford FC being abandoned due to the club’s unresolved situation.
In addition to the challenges on the pitch, Royal AM is still under a global FIFA transfer ban due to unpaid debts owed to former players, Serbian striker Samir Nurkovic and Brazilian defender Ricardo Nascimento.
The sale of Royal AM was a highly contested process, with IOL News reported bids coming from Mkhonto weSizwe MP David Skhosana and an overseas investor with ties to Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie. However, Moodley’s bid emerged victorious, and his takeover of the club is now pending approval from the PSL’s executive committee.
It remains to be seen how the team will make up for lost time, with the PSL set to announce plans once the club’s new ownership is officially confirmed. Royal AM’s immediate focus will be on avoiding relegation, with the team currently sitting in a precarious position—having accumulated just eight points from 11 matches.