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The two clubs have been warned that they risk losing their prize money at the end of the season if they fulfil the fixture under their sponsors’ conditions and if that happens then the title will go to the team occupying third position, at the moment Chicken Inn.
The match has been described as a “money game” after BancABC dangled a $15 000 winners take-all carrot on top of other various incentives that include $5 000 if a goal is scored inside five minutes, $3 000 for every goal scored during the match while the best player on show will walk home with a cool $1 500.
The bank also promised a lot of prizes for the fans, including similar ones offered by the league sponsors, Delta Beverages through their Castle Lager brand.
BancABC managing director, Hashmon Matemera, however refuted claims that it was “ambush marketing” on their part, claiming that they have always done that during matches featuring another of the teams they sponsor, Black Mambas.
However, questions will be raised as to why they did not do the same when Highlanders clashed with Dynamos at Barbourfields Stadium in the reverse fixture which ended 1-1.
Last night the league issued a strongly worded warning to the two clubs, Highlanders and Dynamos.
It said, “Incentives and packages offered to Dynamos FC and Highlanders FC by the clubs’ sponsor are not permissible under the current sponsorship agreement entered into by and between Delta Beverages and the Premier Soccer League”.
“If the clubs fail to comply with the instruction, the League will have no alternative but to cancel the match. Further the League will withhold the full Castle Lager Premier Soccer League prize money of the defaulting club(s). Such prize money shall be forfeited to the League. The Castle Lager Premier Soccer League would like to advise all its members to ensure that they fully comply with the League’s sponsorship agreements, the PSL constitution, rules and regulations and other relevant statutes in order to avoid conflicts. We trust that clubs will guide and advise their commercial partners accordingly,” wrote the league chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele in a press release last night.
Ndebele said it was of paramount importance to note that the match between Dynamos and Highlanders shall proceed under the conditions that the two teams shall play for points – three for the winners, one for a draw, and zero points for a loss.
That the Castle Lager Logo shall appear on all the sleeves of players’ shirts, club sponsors’ logo may appear on the players and officials’ tracksuits, warm-up shirts and bibs.
The league chief said they shall be no prize money paid to clubs, players and officials, before, during or after the match.
“No club sponsors’ T-shirts, flags, scarves, bibs or other paraphernalia is to be distributed inside and outside the stadium, before, during and after the match,” wrote Ndebele.
Contacted for comment Highlanders chairman Peter Dube said:
“We have no comment at the moment as we are yet to be appraised on the whole situation.”
His Dynamos counterpart Kenny Mubaiwa’s cellphone rang continuously.
This is not the first time that BancABC has been involved in territorial wars as early this year, they were involved in a fiery fight with Charity Shield sponsors, NetOne during the final between Dynamos and Motor Action. NetOne eventually withheld the prize money meant for Dynamos in protest over the saga and there are fears that the mobile services provider might not be there next year.
In 2005, then league sponsors Econet Wireless, through their Buddie brand, pulled out of their contract with the PSL after a feud involving NetOne who were sponsoring Caps United. Econet felt the league had breached the contract.
Meanwhile, Savanna Tobacco’s Silindile Nyathi last night said three buses had been hired to ferry Highlanders supporters to Harare for the match.
“We are availing three buses for use by Highlanders supporters to Harare. It is a big game and we felt we could help their supporters to go and cheer their club at this very big game. We are happy to be associated with the game,” said Nyathi.
Highlanders’ supporters are registering for the trip at Betsi Gordon Building in the city centre.
A record crowd is expected and Dynamos have pegged tickets at $5 for the rest of the ground.
Online Reporter