Breaking: Royal AM suffer another blow in FIFA ban case

It’s been confirmed to SABC Sport that the Court of Arbitration for Sport [CAS] has scheduled October 11 as the new date for the ruling on whether the ban handed down by the world football governing body will be reversed.

The Premier Soccer League [PSL] outfit owned by businesswoman Shauwn Mkhize had written to the Switzerland-based tribunal seeking to have the verdict overturned, with their attorney adamant the club will not be paying striker Samir Nurkovic the R12-million settlement.

Both Nurkovic and defender Ricardo Nascimento are owed money by Royal AM and have been slapped with a transfer embargo until payment is made.

Lawyer Leruma Thobejane had informed Metro FM several weeks ago that CAS would likely render an award in their favour on 15 September when looking at the merits of the case – and this had been immediately disputed by his counterpart representing Nurkovic.    

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Speaking to the public broadcaster around the same time, Davor Lazic, was adamant the matter could drag for another year based on his experience.

He has been proven right after CAS this week confirmed to all parties involved the outcome of the pending case before the tribunal would only be delivered on October 11, long after the PSL transfer window has closed.

It means coach John Maduka has to make do without bringing in any new faces even though several others have left the club.

The KZN side has also failed to honour their recent DStv Diski Challenge fixtures in the reserve league due to a shortage of players in their youth academy because the FIFA ban also affects the junior team.