With the Royal AM fixture dilemma reaching a decisive stage, uncertainty lingers over whether the club can complete their backlog of postponed matches before the official end of the season. The sale of Royal AM, which was put under auction by SARS, is expected to be finalised soon, and reports indicate that players have returned to training in preparation for their remaining fixtures.
Royal AM Ownership and Fixture Congestion
Although Durban businessman Chockalingam Roy Moodley was initially favoured to acquire the club, his bid was reportedly halted before being formally announced. However, with a new buyer set to be revealed soon, Royal AM must now turn their attention to fulfilling their fixture obligations. The PSL faces a significant scheduling challenge, as the KwaZulu-Natal side has accumulated a severe backlog of matches that seems nearly impossible to complete within the current timeframe.
John Maduka’s squad has played 11 fewer games than their counterparts and still needs to complete another eight to reach the required 30 fixtures. With just eight weeks remaining in the campaign, the feasibility of cramming 19 matches before the official conclusion on 24 May appears unrealistic. If Royal AM were to resume playing immediately or within the next week, they would need to play at least four matches per week, an unprecedented and gruelling demand for any team.
Complications in Scheduling
The situation is further complicated by Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns’ ongoing participation in the CAF Champions League. Their progress in the tournament could further congest the domestic fixture list, making it even harder for the PSL to accommodate Royal AM’s outstanding matches. If the club’s suspension is lifted following the confirmation of a new owner, the league may have no option but to extend the season.
Impact on Mamelodi Sundowns and the PSL
Extending the league to accommodate Royal AM would create additional challenges, particularly for Mamelodi Sundowns, who must prepare for the FIFA Club World Cup. The Tshwane giants are set to compete in the tournament, which begins on 14 June in the United States. If the PSL season is prolonged, the league must ensure the title race is wrapped up in time for Sundowns to travel and face Ulsan HD in their opening Group F clash on 17 June.
Adding to Royal AM’s troubles, the club is currently under a FIFA transfer ban, limiting their ability to reinforce their squad. With a lack of match fitness due to their extended absence from competitive play, catching up within such a compressed schedule would be an almost impossible task.
What Options Does the PSL Have?
Given the complexity of the situation, the PSL has a few possible courses of action:
- Extend the Season – This would allow Royal AM to play all their matches, but it could disrupt the schedules of other teams, especially Sundowns, who have FIFA Club World Cup commitments.
- Condense the Schedule Further – This would mean forcing Royal AM to play even more frequently, which could lead to injuries and unfairly disadvantage them.
- Declare Some Matches as Forfeits – If Royal AM cannot realistically play all their games, the PSL may have to award walkover victories to their scheduled opponents, which could have a major impact on the league standings.
- Reconsider the Suspension Rules – If a club is unable to complete its fixtures due to circumstances beyond its control, the PSL may need to review its approach to such cases in future.
Final Thoughts
The PSL is faced with a critical decision—either force Royal AM to play an unreasonable number of games in a short span or extend the season, which may disrupt other teams’ schedules. The outcome of the club’s ownership saga will play a major role in determining whether they return to action at all, but even if they do, the logistics of completing their fixtures remain a daunting challenge. The next few weeks will be crucial in deciding the fate of Royal AM’s season and whether the league calendar will need adjustments to accommodate their backlog.
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