adminThe clubs are of the view that the bulk of the sponsorship deal money was spent on other expenses instead of being paid to clubs.
In an interview by telephone from his Harare base yesterday, PSL president Twine Phiri said they were aware that clubs were not happy with the prize money. He said some of the clubs’ concerns were genuine and should be addressed.
“We have taken note of all those concerns. As management, we should be able to engage the sponsors and come up with a common ground. For the time being as PSL we enjoy the cordial relations we have with our sponsors and I do not think it would be an issue talking to them about issues that have been raised by clubs,” said Phiri.
Asked to comment on moves by sponsors to directly pay players on the field or dressing rooms, Phiri said that was one of the issues to be discussed as many felt sponsors were taking over the running of tournaments instead of the league.
Sponsors tended to want to hog the limelight at matches at the expense of the game.
“As the PSL we are technical experts in the deal and we should have a greater say regarding proceedings on match day. We will certainly want to engage our sponsors so that we restore confidence in soccer fans that we as the PSL are working well with our sponsors,” said Phiri.
Dynamos, winners of the $1 million Mbada Holdings Cup, walked away $75 000 richer.
Many believe winners of tournaments must walk away with a fair fraction of the total prize money with the overall figure shared by clubs over the half way mark.
The PSL enjoy sponsorships from Delta Beverages through their Castle Lager, Mbada Holdings, BancABC, NetOne and the Government.
Online Reporter