Premier Soccer League side Royal AM risk being declared bankrupt, which means they might cease to exist after failing to settle Samir Nurkovic's debt.
The now SuperSport United player joined the club as a free agent in 2022 for an agreed R420,000 a month salary, only to see his deal cut just three months later.
Thwihli Thwahla were found guilty of illegally dismissing the former Kaizer Chiefs forward by the Fifa Court of Arbitration for Sport [CAS]. As a result, they were handed a transfer ban by the World Football Governing Body in July 2023.
Recent developments indicate the club contacted the Premier Soccer League Dispute Resolution Chamber, requesting the body to ‘significantly reduce the amount payable' – which is R15 million.
A laughable proposal?
Attorney Davor Lazic has since revealed the PSL DRC couldn't admit the proposal since it is unheard of. Furthermore, Royal AM have not paid a penny to the player since the ruling was made in October.
“No payments have been made so far, hence we are going with it in 2025,” the lawyer told SABC in an interview.
“The only news is that earlier this month we had a proceeding before the National Soccer League Dispute Resolution Chamber regarding the same issue following the club's “urgent” application. Unsurprisingly, the chamber declared the club’s application inadmissible and rejected all relief sought by the Club. If no payments are made, we plan to proceed with further legal steps early next year
“They requested the NSL DRC to recalculate the amounts owed under FIFA’s final and binding award. Their aim was to significantly reduce the amount payable, avoid paying taxes, and settle a net amount instead of the gross amount, among other questionable proposals – again, these tactics are unlike anything I’ve encountered in my career.”
Royal AM might be docked points by Fifa and face other hefty sanctions if they fail to compensate the player.
