In a dramatic turn of events, Shauwn Mkhize, the owner of Royal AM, is reportedly gearing up to appeal the Premier Soccer League’s decision to terminate the club’s membership.
This development comes amidst growing uncertainty surrounding the club’s future in South African football.
The PSL’s decision, which bypassed the usual Disciplinary Committee process, is rooted in its internal rules, leaving the legal avenues for appeal murky at best.
Read: PSL Executive Recommends Royal AM Membership Termination and Immediate Expulsion of Royal AM
According to sources close to the matter, Mkhize has expressed her determination to fight the ruling and is exploring all possible options to overturn the decision.
Royal AM has faced significant challenges in recent months, including financial difficulties and administrative hurdles. The club’s troubles escalated when the South African Revenue Service (SARS) placed it under curatorship due to unpaid taxes amounting to nearly R40 million. Efforts to sell the club and resolve its financial woes have so far been unsuccessful, further complicating its position within the league.
Speaking anonymously to Sportswire.com, a player from the club confirmed that Mkhize, also known as “MaMkhize,” addressed the squad about the appeal.
“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 also supported this, emphasizing that the team expects to play next week and cautioning against underestimating Mkhize’s determination.
The PSL has confirmed that the decision to terminate Royal AM’s membership will be discussed during the Board of Governors (BOG) meeting next Thursday at the Sandton Convention Centre.
The decision is based on the club’s failure to meet its league obligations, including its inability to field a team, as the club has not played a match in 2025. Royal AM still has 19 matches remaining.
This crisis follows financial difficulties triggered by the appointment of a curator, Jaco Venter, by the South African Revenue Service (SARS).
Venter struggled to secure a buyer for the club, and a potential sale to Durban businessman Roy Moodlely fell through after he failed to meet the deposit deadline. As a result, SARS lost its chance to recover the owed taxes through the sale.
Royal AM’s financial issues began in November when SARS seized Mkhize’s assets due to nearly R40 million in unpaid taxes. The seizure, along with frozen accounts, prevented the club from paying player salaries, and wages for December were only paid in January.
The club’s financial troubles led to the suspension of PSL grant payments, loss of sponsorship with Betway, exclusion from the Nedbank Cup, and the indefinite suspension of league matches.
The club’s most recent match was a 3-1 loss to TS Galaxy on December 29. Currently, Royal AM sits at the bottom of the Betway Premiership with just eight points from 11 matches.
If the PSL’s decision stands, Royal AM will be relegated but will not be eligible to compete in the Motsepe Foundation Championship next season due to the termination of their membership.