Shauwn Mkhize’s Royal AM have been booted from the DStv Diski Challenge having failed to field a team during the reserve team competition.
The KZN-based club who play their home games at the Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg, were earlier this year given a transfer ban by global body FIFA due to their failure to pay the salaries of forward Samir Nurkovic and and defender Ricardo Nascimento.
The club have, therefore, been unable to register new players for the Diski Challenge and Betway Premiership, and has seen chairman Andile Mpisane, the son of the owner, featuring in a number of games for the first team.
The club have approached the Court of Arbitration for Sport to appeal the transfer ban.
But for now, the PSL have decided to remove the club from the Diski Challenge.
“Royal AM Football Club has been unable to field a team in the 2024/25 DStv Diski Challenge competition due to a FIFA registration ban,” the PSL said in a statement on Friday.
“After reviewing the facts and representations presented by the club this week, the PSL Executive Committee has resolved to halt Royal AM Football Club's participation in the 2024/25 DStv Diski Challenge competition.”
Meanwhile, chairman Mpisane playing for the club has been backed by Royal AM attacker Kabelo Mahlasela.
“This thing of being banned, not being able to sign players, is playing a big role in our squad, but we don’t want to dwell much on it because our job is to play on the field of play,” Mahlasela was quoted by FARPost.
“There’s nothing we can do. We’re taking it as it comes and fighting as a club to make sure we overcome obstacles in our way.
“Coming to the Chairman’s issue, I think everyone knows that Andile is still young. Yes, he’s the chairman of the club, but he’s still young. If he feels that he can play, Why not?
“He’s training every day. I think that’s one thing that people don’t know. He’s training every day with the club, so if he’s doing well, why not?”
IOL Sport