South African soccer club Royal AM is facing a severe financial crisis, leading to player strikes and a canceled match. The club's owner, Shauwn Mkhize, owes millions in taxes and faces a transfer ban imposed by FIFA.
Royal AM's players are yet to return to training as the club faces serious financial difficulties in the Premier Soccer League. The players are reportedly on strike, and their owner, Shauwn Mkhize, is facing a R37 million tax debt. The South African Revenue Service (SARS) raided several of Mkhize's properties in November.
Royal AM had already been struggling financially after FIFA imposed a three-window transfer ban in July 2023 and ordered them to pay R15 million owed to Serbian striker Samir Nurkovic. Despite appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the ban was upheld. Given the financial woes, the club's survival is uncertain. The debt also makes it unlikely that anyone will buy the franchise. The club's next match is also unclear. Chippa United's game against Royal AM, scheduled for January 11, has been canceled by the Premier Soccer League without explanation
SPORTS SOCCER FINANCE SOUTH AFRICA ROYAL AM