Royal AM might have secured their DStv Premiership place for yet another season, but they still have the irritation of an unresolved FIFA case involving Samir Nurkovic.
John Maduka has battled on without new signings to keep Royal AM afloat with eight league games remaining.
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However, the elephant in the room at Royal AM is the FIFA transfer ban – specifically that emanating from Nurkovic's case.
Royal AM have been under sanctions since July last year in a case that they have since chosen to take to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which is expensive and time-consuming with appeal fees stretching over half-a-million rands.
"At this stage, the case is still pending at CAS with no date," says Davor Lazic, who represents Nurkovic, talking to KickOff.com from Croatia.
"But there are no guarantees that there will be a hearing because this is all dependant on the CAS panel.
"In some instances, if after receiving all the submissions the panel feels they can reach a decision to make an award without a hearing, then they do so.
"In this case, we don't know whether the CAS hearing will take place or not," says Lazic.
Nurkovic has since moved on to TS Galaxy, where he is on nine goals in 21 appearances so far this season.
What is impressive about the Serbian is that he has scored his goals after having spent 17 months without playing football between his last appearance at Kaizer Chiefs and his first at Galaxy.
"There are no surprises happening with this case because based on my experience, this is what happens when a case goes to CAS.
"Royal AM are appealing FIFA's portal procedure and decision beyond the matter that Samir has against them.
"So, in this case we have the club as the appellant and Samir as the first respondent, while FIFA is the second respondent, which means we have active participation from FIFA in the case.
"Royal AM are going against FIFA, but the transfer ban remains in place.
"The CAS route comes with costs that can go up to as much as 46 000 Swiss Francs (approx. R957 000) and for the hearing to go on, the appellant should have paid everything.
"I haven't seen the proof of payment made by the club and CAS hasn't allocated a date.
"On what FIFA ordered them to pay Samir, you must take in mind that there is a 5% interest per annum considering that the award was made in July 2023," explains Lazic.
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Royal AM have another ban on their backs relating to Brazilian defender Ricardo Nascimento.
Just like Nurkovic, Nascimento won the case that he took up to FIFA, but the club is arguing otherwise.