Should Royal AM be booted out of the Betway Premiership?

Royal AM has sought to undermine the current domestic season due to their inability to participate in any football matches. Their off-the-pitch scandal, stemming from Shauwn Mkhize’s personal failings with SARS, has spilled over into the Betway Premiership, as all of her assets, including the team, have been frozen.

The PSL confirmed on Monday that Thwihli Thwahla had officially been eliminated from the Nedbank Cup. The next question is what the association will do regarding the league.

Several clubs have a game in hand against Royal AM, and it is becoming increasingly evident that they will not be able to fulfil their remaining fixtures this season. The club may be sold in its entirety.

While the Betway Premiership still has an uncertain future, the Nedbank Cup offers a clear resolution.

ROYAL AM BOOTED OUT OF THE NEDBANK CUP

Thwihli Thwahla was scheduled to play Milford FC in the tournament’s round of 32 in January 2025. However, because they could not honour this fixture, the Nedbank Cup had to stagnate until further notice.

PSL statement on developments concerning Royal AM Football Club. pic.twitter.com/NNI02k5KFp

— Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) February 25, 2025

“The NSL Executive Committee convened on Monday to consider further representations from the Curator and management of Royal AM Football Club,” The PSL announced in a statement.

“Having reviewed these representations, the Executive Committee, in concurrence with Royal AM and the Curator, resolved that Royal AM Football Club will take no further part in the Nedbank Cup competition this season, in the interest of time.”

“The Nedbank Cup fixture (number 21) between Milford FC and Sekhukhune United FC has been scheduled for 15h00 on Sunday, 2 March 2025, at Princess Magogo Stadium.”

“The League will confirm ticketing information in due course.” The statement read.

These same actions will have to be taken for the Betway Premiership.

THE CHALLENGES PRESENTED TO THE LEAGUE

What was done in the Nedbank Cup must be done in the Betway Premiership. Royal AM’s 11 league matches must be disqualified, and all results from those encounters must be rendered null and void.

Therefore, the 2024/2025 Betway Premiership season will consist of 15 teams.

It would be unfair to forfeit Royal AM’s remaining 19 matches while retaining a record of their first 11. Therefore, it is best to dismiss their entire campaign.

This is because some teams have lost to Royal AM, while others, like Orlando Pirates, haven’t even faced the side. It would be unfair for other teams to receive three points if the match were forfeited because we don’t know if they would have lost or won that game.

Thus, to be fair to the other 15 teams, no one should have a record of facing Royal AM this season.

If anything, this is a jarring lesson for the PSL, as only three years after purchasing the PSL status of Bloemfontein Celtic, Royal AM has brought the entire NSL into disrepute.

IS IT PRACTICAL TO REMOVE ROYAL AM FROM THE BETWAY PREMIERSHIP?

Having a 15-team league would create a few problem that need solving.

The issue of relegation is concerning because, under normal circumstances, the bottom team goes directly to the Motsepe Foundation Championship, while the second bottom team enters the promotion/relegation play-offs. So, do we face a situation where the bottom team goes directly down and two teams are promoted from the NFD, resulting in 16 teams next season?

Although extremely challenging, there is no other option, as Royal AM gives a new team a game in hand every week.

What other options do you think the PSL has in this conundrum?

Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.

Subscribe to The South African website’s newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.