Game is put into disrepute as Royal AM fail to show up again

ROYAL AM did not turn up for their PSL promotion/relegation play-off clash against Richards Bay at uMhlathuze Sports Complex yesterday and the outcome officially means that they have no chance of securing promotion to the Premiership via the play-offs.

Royal AM technically have one remaining game to contest - against Chippa United tomorrow - but it appears unlikely that they will turn out for this one either as they have not honoured their three fixtures so far. Their non-participation in yesterday's game resulted in a 3-0 victory for Richards Bay.

The KwaZulu-Natal-based club, it seems, continue to rely on the courts to award them first place in the GladAfrica Championship, which would grant them automatic entry into next season's Premiership. In the event that Royal AM do end up winning their court case, which does not seem likely, it could cause further administrative complications for the PSL.

Given that Sekhukhune United have already been crowned GladAfrica Championship winners and are currently preparing for life in the top flight, would they then have to halt their plans and prepare for the play-offs? Not only would this situation be unfair to Sekhukhune, but it has also be unfair to playoff contenders Richards Bay and Chippa.

Richards Bay, in particular, have their own reasons to be most aggrieved by the walkovers. There is a possibility that the cancelled fixtures could have positively impacted their own campaign to be promoted. They will now more than likely have to prepare for another long season in the GladAfrica Championship while Chippa are likely to be back in the top flight next season.