By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Premier Soccer League (PSL) board of governors convened earlier today to ratify the resolution made by the league’s executive committee last week to expel Royal AM from the league.
The executive resolved to expel the club from the league.
The club owned by controversial businesswoman Shauwn Mkhize, has not been involved in any soccer action since December 2024.
Their inactivity has caused a major headache for the league, with fixtures involving the team having to be constantly postponed while SARS seeks a suitable buyer.
SARS is seeking to recover R40 million debt from Mkhize, appointed Jaco Venter as the club’s curator. As a result, SARS initiated proceedings to either liquidate or sell the club.
Durban businessman Chockalingam “Roy” Moodley of Global Investments 0107 (Pty) Ltd expressed interest to buy the club but failed to make a payment in accordance to the sale agreement, as a result the deal fell through.
“In terms of clause 12 of the invitation to submit offers referred to above, the Successful Offeror was required to within a period 3 (three) days (“Payment Period”) of being advised by the curator bonis in writing that he, she or it is the Successful Offeror, pay the accepted offer amount [minus the deposit amount] [“Purchase Price”] into the trust account of VZLR Inc.,” the SARS curator announced in a statement.
The situation has deeply dented the integrity of the league, casting a dark shadow over South Africa’s impressive showings in both of the Confederation of African Football’s inter-club competitions this season.
The expulsion leave the league with 15 teams, with the sides who earned points in the 11 matches KwaZulu-Natal club played losing them in the interest of fairness.
This includes log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who currently enjoy a 12-point gap over second-placed Orlando Pirates. Although the latter still have three games in hand, which will be reduced to two matches.
Relegation-threatened SuperSport United will lose the one point they earned during 0-0 draw with Thwihli Thwihla in September 2024.
The 15th-placed side will go into the relegation/promotin play-offs, with all teams finishing the campaign on 28 matches.