Royal AM crisis: Player strike and R40m tax debt cast doubt on MamKhize's club's future

Royal AM owner Shauwn Mkhize and her son, club chairman Andile Mpisane. Photo: Instagram

Royal AM owner Shauwn Mkhize and her son, club chairman Andile Mpisane. Photo: Instagram

Published Jan 7, 2025

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The future of Shauwn Mkhize's Royal AM has been thrown into further doubt after players at the KwaZulu-Natal-based club have reportedly gone on strike over unpaid salaries.

According to SABC Sport, players have not returned to training following the Festive Season break, resulting in their upcoming Betway Premiership game against Chippa United being postponed.

The report went on to add that the club have been taken over by the South African Revenue Services over a R40 million tax debt, which is on top of the R15 million they already owe to former striker Samir Nurkovic.

In an attempt to get paid what he is owed, Nurkovic approached world football governing body FIFA, who found the club guilty and handed them a transfer ban until they have settled the matter.

And now, making matters worse, players have failed to return to training as the club prepare for the second half of the Betway Premiership season.

Earlier on Tuesday, Chippa United expressed their disappointment after their clash with Royal AM, scheduled for January 11, was postponed without a reason being given.

"Chippa United Football Club announces with disappointment that our scheduled fixture against Royal AM, set for 11 January 2025 at 17:45 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, has been postponed by the league with no given reason,” the club said in a statement.

The club added that they had made all the necessary arrangements for the fixture.

“This decision, made by the Premier Soccer League (PSL) at the last minute, comes after all necessary arrangements, including logistics and venue preparations, had been finalised.

“Despite the disruption caused, no reasons for this postponement have been provided to us, we encourage supporters who were planning to purchase tickets for this match to hold off until further notice.

“We apologise for this inconvenience and we will communicate any updates regarding the rescheduled date as soon as the PSL provides clarity.”

IOL Sport