Controversial Durban businessman Chockalingam “Roy” Moodley reportedly won the Royal AM bid but has been blocked by Sars curator from taking over the club

Premier Soccer League (PSL) side Royal AM was reportedly acquired by Durban businessman Chockalingam “Roy” Moodley after he won the bidding process to buy the club.

The club has been facing uncertainty, after its owner, Shauwn Mkhize, was embroiled in a tax battle with the South African Revenue Service (SARS). The state agency then appointed a curator, seizing Twihli Twahla as a result.

Following the tussle between the club's owner and the state, PSL suspended the matches involving Royal AM and were also excluded from the Nedbank Cup games.

The struggling club was, according to SPORTSWIRE acquired by Moodley, who is a businessman based in Durban.

According to the reports, several bidders, some from Russia and Greece, had expressed interest in buying the besieged outfit.

On the surface, Moodley would be an odd choice to follow Shauwn Mkhize as he is an equally controversial figure with close ties to former President Jacob Zuma.

And so it proved after The Sowetan reported just hours later that the Sars curator Jaco Venter had refused to approve the winning bid as Moodley was unfit to take over the club.

According to the publication's source: "Apparently Moodley's background paints him as someone who doesn't have a good record with Sars, so they have decided to nullify his winning bid."

Royal AM have not played in 2025 since it started finding itself in the clutches of the tax man in November 2024.

With e bidding process stymied it remains to be seen what happens next. Will the bidding process be re-opened, or will the second highest bidder be given permission to take over the club?

When Royal AM are eventually admitted back into the league, the PSL governing body will need to find some creative solutions to the club's failure to play at least 10 games less than the rest of the league.

The club's fans, players and the PSL executive will be anxiously awaiting news on the bidding process now the highest bidder has been rejected by Sars.

There is also now the possibility that Moodley could refuse to take the decision lying down and embroils Sars and possibly the PSL in court for months or years to come.

What impact that nightmare scenario would have on the club and the league is currently unknown.