Royal AM have become the second team in the DStv Diski Challenge to be fined by the Premier Soccer League (PSL).
The KwaZulu-Natal-based club was found guilty by PSL Prosecutor Zola Majavu for fielding an ineligible player.
In a PSL DC hearing on Monday morning, Royal AM were found guilty of playing ineligible Philani Kumalo in their 5-3 victory over Chippa United in the Diski Challenge match.
Majavu confirmed that Royal AM and Kumalo pleaded guilty and have been sanctioned.
The 3-0 match victory was awarded to Chippa, while Royal AM were also handed a suspended fine.
Majavu said: “I provide you with a further update on a matter that served before the PSL DC earlier this afternoon. Royal AM appeared before the DC to answer two charges of fielding a defaulter, or otherwise, a player was ineligible. Mr Philani Khumalo in a Diski Challenge fixture between Royal AM and Chippa United Football Club.
“Both Mr Khumalo and Royal AM pleaded guilty as charged, and they were convicted accordingly. With regards to sanction, having listened to the submissions from the league prosecutor as well as the legal representative of both respondents, the PSL DC ruled as follows.
Majavu outlined: “One: the match be forfeited by a Royal AM in favour of Chippa, resulting in Chippa picking up the three points on a scoreline of 3-0.
“Two: Royal AM was also fined a the amount of R25 000, which is wholly suspended for 12 months on condition that during the period of suspension, they are not found guilty of the same offence again.
“Three: Mr. Philani Kumalo was sanctioned with an additional two match suspension, reckoned from the date of the ruling, assuming that he does not exercise his right on appeal. In the event he does so obviously, the sanction would be pended until the finalisation of that appeal.”
Chippa are the other team who were recently for fielding an ineligible player against Pirates in their 3-2 victory and The Chilli Boys got the same sanction.