2 days ago
Time to confront the crisis at the heart of the game
Royal AM's dramatic collapse — from PSL contenders to court battles and expulsion — has become a symbol of South African football's deeper structural crisis. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpageix
South African football is in crisis.
And not the kind that can be spun away with PR talk about 'transition phases' or 'teething problems.' This is structural decline: boardroom power plays, unpaid players, clubs being bought and sold with minimal vetting of new owners, and governing bodies that often look the other way.
The Pretoria High Court's scathing judgment against Royal AM — a club already expelled from the PSL — should be a tipping point. The court ruled that the PSL had valid grounds to expel the club, even before it was placed under business rescue by SARS in November 2024.
#LetsFixSAFootball
Image: Independent Media
Why?
Because Royal AM reportedly misled the league on multiple occasions — including failing to disclose changes in shareholding, accumulating unpaid debts that resulted in Fifa-imposed player-transfer bans, and ultimately demonstrating a breakdown in operational stability.
The past 2024/25 season may have exposed just how deep the problems run — even before a ball was kicked. From fixture irregularities to financial uncertainty at several clubs, early warning signs were there.
Through it all, SAFA and the PSL remain publicly silent and institutionally divided, seemingly more focused on protecting their own domains than working together to address the crisis. The Betway Premiership — the PSL's flagship competition — has a new sponsor but what about a new direction?
Where is the accountability? Where is the leadership? Where is the will to change?
This is why we are launching the #LetsFixSAFootball campaign — not to stir controversy, but to demand clarity, transparency, and meaningful action. Most importantly, we hope to help influence real, lasting change.
To club owners: Football is not just a side business. People invest their hopes, their histories, and their hearts into these teams. Respect that.
To the PSL and SAFA: Step up. Clean house. Lead boldly — or make way for those who will.
To the players: Keep speaking. You are the product, and your voice matters.
To the fans: This is your game. Demand better. Hold the decision-makers accountable.
South African football has the talent. It has the culture. It has the potential to be great. But if we don't confront the mismanagement, neglect and governance failures at its core, nothing will change.
As such in the coming weeks, Independent Media will be interrogating the beautiful game from grassroots to state level, revealing the shortcomings, discussing the problems and arguing solutions. We want you to be involved in this discussion by visiting our platforms and adding to the debate by using #LetsFixSAFootball or sending your correspondence to [email protected].
Let's fix South African football. Now — before there's nothing left to fix.
