Royal AM give Nurkovic 30-day notice

SABC Sport can reveal that Royal AM have handed striker Samir Nurkovic notice of their intent to terminate his contract – three months after he joined them on a free transfer from Kaizer Chiefs.

The Serbian forward is yet to make an official appearance for the KwaZulu-Natal club since his arrival in the off-season due to a long-term injury that he had been carrying from his stint with Amakhosi.

He was signed with the anticipation that he would help elevate the frontline at AM under co-coaches Dan Malesela, Khabo Zondo and Abram Nteo, but there have since been changes in the technical team.

Malesela has gone back to Marumo Gallants, while there are strong reports that Zondo could also be on his way out as the club struggles with results – their latest a 3-1 defeat to SuperSport United on Tuesday evening.

According to information gathered by SABC Sport, the side owned by businesswoman Shauwn Mkhize has given Nurkovic 30 days to leave the club due to him being on “sick leave” and “exhausting” the period allowed for being on the mend.

The player was recovering from injury and featured in the Macufe Cup against his former club Chiefs at the Free State Stadium earlier this month, but he has come nowhere near the matchday squad for topflight fixtures.

SABC Sport further understands that Nurkovic is still owed his salary for July and August but has been informed that all outstanding monies would be settled once the 30-day notice has lapsed and he is no longer on Royal AM’s books.

Attempts to get clarity and comment from the club proved futile, with the public broadcaster’s sports desk offering Mkhize and her attorneys a right of reply over the last two days but phone calls and text messages went unanswered.

It remains to be seen what route Nurkovic will now take, either through the Premier Soccer League Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC) or to directly approach world governing body FIFA because of his status as a foreigner.

Royal AM recently lost a case at the PSL DRC, which ruled in favour of another striker Ndumiso Mabena, over his unpaid wages.

Mabena has since received his clearance and is a free agent currently looking for a new club, after spending a few weeks training with Orlando Pirates.