Is this an end for Phunya Sele Sele?
Written by Lwando Mhobo
In what will come as a damning blow to the city of Mangaung,its residents as well as its ardent fans,reports that Bloemfontein Celtic’s Premier Soccer League status is in the process of being bought by Royal AM owner Shauwn Mkhize,for a reported R50 million fee,will be met with great sadness and anger by the Siwelele legion
These news will not come as a shock,to some,as the club’s financial struggles have been well documented in the past, with issues of non-payment/late payment of player salaries a recurring theme.
In fact,Max Tshabalala came close to selling the Mangaung based club in 2018 to potential suitors Sinki Leshabane and Dr Moeketsi Mosola. Fortunately,for fans of the club,the deal fell through as it was reported that Bloemfontein Celtic’s Max Tshabalala owed the South African Revenue Service R43 million.
These rumours did not however deter Shauwn Mkhize’s adamance to see her players ply their trade in the big leagues.
Following Royal AM’s inability to overturn their arbitration in the High Court as well as being found guilty on all charges for failure to honor their four playoff fixtures,the opportunity for Shauwn Mkhize to flex her financial muscle and secure Premier Soccer League status was not one she would not need second invitation for.
The recent sale of Mkhize’s Royal AM to Tshakuma Tsha Madzivhandila may be an indicator that the sale of Bloemfontein Celtic is all but done and that all that’s left is for the quoted R50 million to exchange hands.
Although Royal AM’s CEO has denied the rumours of the takeover/purchase. A leaked approval of the sale has been doing the rounds on social media [see below].
The Premier Soccer League has since issued a statement calling for a virtual press briefing scheduled for Tuesday,17th of August 2021 at 11am attended by the NSL Chairman,the Acting CEO and the League’s Legal Counsel. The agenda of the virtual press briefing includes the addressing of legal matters,the sale of clubs as well as the upcoming 2021/2022 football season. This address will be aired on Supersport PSL Channel (202).
Leaked Letter:
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