Royal AM faces expulsion from PSL over R12 million debt
Royal AM may be expelled from the Betway Premiership if they fail to settle a R12 million debt owed to Serbian forward Samir Nurkovic.
The club, owned by Durban businesswoman and socialite Shauwn Mkhize, was hit with a transfer ban by FIFA after Nurkovic claimed he was owed this amount following the termination of his contract in 2022.
Royal AM challenged FIFA’s decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but their appeal was rejected, leaving the club in a difficult position.
Earlier this month, they were removed from the DStv Diski Challenge for failing to fulfil fixtures due to an inability to register new players.
This restriction has resulted in Andile Mpisane, the club’s chairman and MaMkhize’s 23-year-old son, playing in several matches for the first team.
According to PSL legal counsel Michael Murphy, the authority to expel the club rests with FIFA, contingent on whether Nurkovic receives the payment owed to him.
“It’s at FIFA level. There’s a remedy that’s been handed down if there is no payment,” Murphy stated on Newzroom Afrika.
“It will be referred to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee and in terms of the FIFA DC. It has happened before to South African clubs or clubs around the world.
“They could order an expulsion or deduction of points. And if they do, we [PSL] have to implement it,” he explained.
Former Kaizer Chiefs striker Nurkovic is currently signed with TS Galaxy.
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