Royal AM’s players and staff are still awaiting their overdue salaries and have been unable to train for over a month due to the ongoing financial issues surrounding the club. Reports indicate that the PSL team has been facing serious financial difficulties, partly due to club owner Shauwn Mkhize’s ongoing tax battles with the South African Revenue Service (SARS), which is reportedly owed a staggering R40 million.
In a concerning turn of events, Royal AM’s players and staff have been locked out of their training facilities in Pietermaritzburg by security guards as they continue to wait for their outstanding payments. This situation has led to severe unrest within the club, with morale among the squad at an all-time low. The ongoing financial struggles have left the team in limbo, unsure of when they will receive the money owed to them or when they will be able to resume training.
The crisis reached a boiling point on January 11, 2025, when the club’s scheduled match against Chippa United was called off due to the unresolved issue of unpaid salaries. With no training taking place and players feeling abandoned, the match suspension has further intensified the already volatile situation at Royal AM.
This financial turmoil comes at a time when the club is facing heightened scrutiny from both the media and fans. The reports of Mkhize’s significant debt to SARS have led to speculation that the club could face liquidation if the issue is not resolved. The uncertainty around the club’s future has only compounded the frustration among the staff and players, who have not received their wages for an extended period.
Local football fans have taken to social media to express their disapproval of Royal AM’s handling of the situation. Many have been quick to criticize the club and its leadership, with some suggesting that the team deserves the consequences of these financial missteps. The sentiment from fans is clear: they believe that the club should be held accountable for its financial troubles and that punishment should be imposed for the ongoing neglect of players’ rights.
With Royal AM’s future hanging in the balance, the situation remains tense, and the players’ patience is running thin. As the club struggles to address its financial woes, the consequences of these unresolved issues continue to affect the squad’s preparation and performance. Until the payment situation is resolved, and the tax issues are cleared up, it remains uncertain how the club will move forward in the coming months.
