PSL DRC clears six Royal AM players to walk for free

At least six of them now have new clubs – Sabelo Sithole, Ayabulela Maxwele as well as Shadrack Kobedi have joined Golden Arrows, while the duo of Sbangani Zulu and Mfundo Thikazi have moved to Richards Bay.

To complete the list, Khulekani Shezi packed his bags for Gauteng, putting pen to paper at Sekhukhune United.

According to information gathered by the public broadcaster, the three Betway Premiership teams concluded the deals under the radar during the FIFA international break as soon as the DRC ruled in favour of the players who approached the committee as a matter of urgency.

They argued that their contracts had been breached when the SARS curator took over the running of the club in an effort to recoup a reported SARS debt of R40-million, seizing assets belonging to the family trust linked to president Shauwn Mkhize late last year.

Royal AM players have had their salaries delayed, opening the door for those who represent the employers to insists contracts were breached.

READ: Miguel Cardoso admits emotional test against former club Esperance

SABC Sport has it on good authority that the DRC found no reason to withhold a verdict that allows the players to walk away for free and join clubs of their choosing outside the transfer window.

Royal AM, who are still under a FIFA transfer ban, did take the Sithole matter for arbitration at SAFA hoping the ruling would be overturned, however this was not the case.

Sithole, earning a gross salary of R9000 with the promise to have it increased by 40 percent should he featured in 10 consecutive games for the club as well as a winning bonus, was not paid timeously for three months.

The indefinite postponement of the league fixtures also meant that Sithole would not be getting his increase with just a few months left on his contract, which runs until June 2025.

Royal AM’s appeal was dismissed with costs and it’s expected more players will follow this route in the coming weeks.