Buyers will need R65m a month to run Royal AM

The draft sale agreement, which was circulated yesterday by Royal’s curator Willem Venter, states clearly the new buyer will have to take over all debt associated with the club. “The purchaser is responsible for and will deal with any, and all, claims or matters that may exist or which have been or which are brought by or against the club (whether by or in respect of the League, players, other participants in football, or third parties) and whether before a disciplinary committee; dispute resolution chamber; or any other football or sports tribunal or court,” the draft reads.

“The purchaser shall pay all and any salaries, signing-on fees, image right payments, bonuses, leave pay and/or other benefits due or accrued, to the professional football players.”

This means Royal players and staff, who have experienced payment delays since December, will have a legitimate claim against the new owners.

The biggest sticking point, however, remains the club’s outstanding fixtures as they have not played a match this year. They are behind by nine games and playing catch up seems a daunting task, although the draft sale agreement is silent on that aspect. It merely mentions that the owners will have to comply with the PSL programme upon approval of the sale, which, if accepted by the curator, will have to be ratified by the league’s executive committee.

Apart from Nurkovic, six other players have lodged claims against Royal seeking early termination of contracts. The new owner will also have to accept the transfer ban imposed by Fifa on the club two years ago. It can only be lifted once Nurkovic has been paid. – additional reporting by Nkareng Matshe

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