Cape Town City has won the first battle with the PSL with regards to their FNB sponsorship.
According to City boss John Comitis, the PSL has been told by the court that they should accept the sponsorship of FNB to be emblazoned on the kit of his club.
City joined hands with the giant financial institution as shirt sponsor during the off season, but the PSL said they cannot display FNB on their jersey since they have not gained the approval from the league.
The PSL’s argument to City was that the FNB sponsorship is in conflict of interest to one of the league’s biggest sponsors, Nedbank, who sponsors the Nedbank Cup.
This almost threatened City, who announced the FNB sponsorship on 1 August, that their opening league match of the season against Mamelodi Sundowns not to take place, with the PSL confirming that they are yet to approve the sponsorship to be displayed on the jersey, hours before the match.
That left Comitis fuming, who said he did nothing wrong in acquiring the FNB sponsorship. He added that even though they are in a court battle with the league, the giant financial institution assured them that they are not pulling out.
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City has continued to display FNB on their shirts after they were granted to do so by a court for the entire first round of the DStv Premiership.
The court has now ordered the PSL to accept City’s sponsorship, with City waiting for the league to reply to them or look at other avenues to take the matter further.
“We are still busy with it. At the moment, the matter is before the court, we don’t want to talk about it,” said Comitis.
“But we have a court order that compelled the league to accept the sponsorship and as stands that is the statement.
“However, the PSL has responded and they have requested certain amendments and that was done, now we are waiting for them to give us the power to proceed.”
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The PSL, to all clubs a few years ago, verbally agreed that no NSL club will accept the sponsorship of a betting company because that may lead to match fixing.
With this rule not written down, Comitis previously took advantage, acquiring Sportpesa, a betting company that has also sponsored Everton in the English Premier League in the past.
However, the PSL fought with Comitis, with the matter going to court. It came back in favour of City, leaving the league embarrassed.
Comitis has again reiterated that come the game against Royal AM on 30 December at DHL Stadium when the season resumes post the FIFA World Cup everything will be sorted and in his favour.
“No reason why we can’t have this sponsorship,” said Comitis.
“At this stage we will proceed and continue with it.”
