This announcement was made on the eve of the club’s scheduled league fixture against the Soweto giants, Orlando Pirates, at the Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg.

Royal AM, owned by the controversial businesswoman Shauwn Mkhize, has not played a league match since their 3-1 loss to TS Galaxy on 29 December. Earlier this month, their match against Chippa United was postponed after reports emerged that players went on strike due to non-payment of salaries.

The club, which previously enjoyed a controversial R27 million sponsorship from the struggling Msunduzi Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, is now under SARS curatorship due to tax debts exceeding R40 million. To compound its troubles, Royal AM is also under a FIFA-imposed transfer ban due to the Samir Nurkovic saga, where the club owes the Serbian player R15 million in unpaid wages.

Andile Mpisane. Photo: X

As it stands, Royal AM, named after Mkhize’s son and club chairman Andile Mpisane, will not face Pirates in the league, as well as the Nedbank Cup round of 32 clash against Milford FC on the weekend.

All of Royal AM’s fixtures, including Nedbank Cup matches, have been suspended for the time being, the PSL confirmed in a statement.

“On 9 January 2025, Royal AM FC informed the league that it could not fulfil its obligations regarding its match against Chippa United FC on 11 January 2025 due to difficulties arising from the appointment of a curator," the statement read.

‘Joint letter of assurance from club management never received’

“The PSL Executive Committee (ExCo) has since convened three separate meetings to secure assurances from the club, under curatorship, that it could meet its fixture commitments in a compliant manner.

“On 17 January 2025, ExCo was informed that a joint letter of assurance from club management and the curator would be provided, confirming that the issues leading to the club’s inability to meet its commitments had been resolved. However, no such letter was received.

“As a result, the ExCo was left with no choice but to cancel PSL Fixture 106 – Royal AM vs. Orlando Pirates at Harry Gwala Stadium, scheduled for 19:30 – and to suspend all other Royal AM fixtures (including Premiership and Nedbank Cup matches) until further notice. The ExCo will meet again on Friday, 24 January 2025, at 11:00 to allow Royal AM, under curatorship, the opportunity to make representations regarding the matter.”

On 1 February, Royal AM is scheduled to face Marumo Gallants at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein, and at this stage, this game will also be off until further notice,

A source close to OFM Sport indicated that on Wednesday the players and technical team were locked out of the club’s grounds and they weren’t able to train ahead of the game against Buccaneers, a mere day after they indicated that they would honour the fixture.

In related developments, reports have surfaced that Royal AM’s PSL status is set to be sold to a consortium that recently purchased the name and trademarks of Bloemfontein Celtic. The consortium plans to bring the once-feared Phunya Sele Sele back to the PSL after years in the wilderness, following the controversial sale of the club’s league status to Mkhize.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg