Khoza: PSL cannot expel Royal AM
Premier Soccer League (PSL) chairman Irvin Khoza has stated that finishing the season with only 15 teams would harm the league’s business, as Royal AM continues to face difficulties.
Royal AM were given a transfer ban in 2023 due to a dispute with Samir Nurkovic, who is owed R12 million in unpaid wages after the club ended his contract early.
The KwaZulu-Natal-based club still cannot sign any new players, and their reserve team was kicked out of the DStv Diski Challenge last month for failing to field a team in the youth league.
Royal AM appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), but their transfer ban was not lifted.
Last week, Nurkovic’s lawyer, Davor Lazic, contacted the PSL, asking for the debt to be paid from the club’s R2 million monthly grant.
Khoza explained that the PSL is still awaiting the outcome of the appeal and is working to resolve the issue, but emphasised that the league is planning to continue with a 16-team Betway Premiership.
“We discussed it last week when it was brought to our attention,” Khoza said. “It seems the club has tried to move the matter forward. We’re waiting for a report from SAFA [South African Football Association], as they’ve referred the issue to FIFA for further advice.
“We need to check with the clubs and remind them that the ruling means they cannot register players for several months unless they settle outstanding payments.
“As long as this issue is unresolved, the club can’t sign players. It came at a bad time, just before the season started. Some players are no longer eligible for the youth league, and some have already joined other clubs, making it impossible for Royal AM to field a full squad.
“If we had known sooner, we could have advised them. Because of the ban, they had to ask SAFA for clarification, as it affects all parts of the club.
“We’re waiting for the appeal results and hope to have clearer information soon. It shouldn’t have taken this long and caused so much disruption. Once the matter reaches us, we will resolve it as quickly as possible.
“We also called the club in to discuss how we can assist them. I always tell my member clubs that when I shake hands with the sponsors, I say, ‘I have 16 teams in the Premier Division and 16 teams in the Motsepe Championship.’
“I can’t end the season with only 15 teams. That’s bad for business. The media, the fans, and everyone else are expecting a 16-team league. It’s essential we finish the season with 16 teams. If something goes wrong because of this situation, it could cause serious problems.”
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