PSL promotion play-offs' integrity thrown in doubt as Royal AM boycott ANOTHER match

GladAfrica Championship outfit Royal AM FC on Thursday again failed to fulfil their PSL promotion/relegation play-off fixture, this time against Richards Bay FC.

As the home side, Royal AM failed to show up at Chatsworth Stadium, leaving their opponents as the only team to take to the field, resulting in the match officials abandoning the match.

As on Tuesday, Richards Bay like Chippa United took to the field after going through all their match preparations before the match was immediately called off after the referee's opening whistle.

This is the second time this week that the Durban-based side have boycotted a promotion play-off fixture after failing to fulfil Tuesday's clash against Chippa United at the same venue.

In confusing scenes, Royal AM had seemed set to reverse an earlier decision made on Monday by owner Shauwn Mkhize to not honour Tuesday's fixture by showing up at the venue.

But then sensationally, players and club staff were seen packing up equipment shortly before the 15:00 kick-off time before leaving the stadium.

This continues the staunch stance by Royal AM in opposition to the PSL's directive to continue with the promotion/relegation play-offs under a cloud of boardroom squabbles.

The club maintains that an earlier decision by the PSL Disciplinary Committee to award three points to Sekhukhune United in their clash against Polokwane City on 2 January is unjust.

The awarding of the points to Sekhukhune, made just before the final week of the 2020/2021 campaign, effectively handed the league title - and automatic promotion to the DStv Premiership - to them.

That's now resulted in an ugly standoff between Mkhize's Royal AM and the PSL without an end in sight.