Royal AM players down tools as SARS takes over club

This comes in the wake of a statement issued by Chippa United on Monday night, confirming their upcoming Betway Premiership clash against Thwihli Thwahla at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium had been postponed "with no given reason."

Royal AM’s problems over the last two years have been well publicised – from the FIFA transfer ban as a result of a R15-million owed to striker Samir Nurkovic to the South African Revenue Services (SARS) officials and police raiding multiple properties owned by club president Shauwn Mkhize in November last year. 

Mkhize allegedly owes SARS nearly R40-million in tax debt linked to her family trust and this has had a ripple effect on other assets, including the football club. 

An investigation by the public broadcaster has revealed that Royal AM approached the Premier Soccer League asking for permission to reschedule their trip to Gqeberha this coming weekend. 

The Chippa statement indicates that this request has been granted, and the only issue being that their opponents – as claimed by the Chilli Boys – were not informed. 

It’s also emerged that AM, who were last in action in the 3-1 defeat to TS Galaxy at Harry Gwala Stadium on 29 December, expected players to return to training earlier this week. 

It’s believed no player has reported for duty just yet following a dispute over unpaid salaries, which further suggests none of them would be available to face Chippa. 

SARS could take efforts to collect the tax debt even further by beginning the process of liquidating the club, while FIFA are also keeping a close watch as Royal AM continue to defy its ruling to pay Nurkovic, with the next steps likely to involve docking of points and/or liquidation. 

READ: AM’s latest appeal on Samir Nurkovic settlement dismissed