The South African Football Players Union has condemned the actions of DSTV premiership club Royal AM after the club ownership handed out ‘bonuses’ to players in cash envelopes on the pitch in front of cameras  after the league KZN derby clash between Royal AM and Maritzburg United FC at the Chartsworth Stadium on Sunday, 03 October 2021.

Royal Am owner, Shawn Mkhize, and club chairman, Andile Mpisane, were seen carrying large sums of money on the pitch handing out ‘bonuses’ to their players celebrating their win over provincial rivals Maritzburg United with one of the people accompanying them reportedly shouting “come and get your sweets” to bemused players.

According to Kick Off, SAFPU spokesperson, Calvin Motloung, has slammed the club and its ownership for their recent stunt. “This should be condemned in the strongest terms. What they did is disrespectful to the players and even to the league. They are also putting the lives of the players at risk by inviting tsotsis to follow the players,” said Motloung, as quoted by Kick Off.

“This is also not helping the league as a global brand. I don’t know why they couldn’t wait to pay the players in the dressing room. This was done to show off and what is sad is that they still owe some players salaries but have the guts to splash money in front of TV cameras. Some of the players were paid half of the salaries owed to them,” Motloung added, as per Kick Off. The PSL are yet to respond to the recent stunt pulled by the Royal AM ownership.