(April 14,2005) A sponsorship row that had threatened to derail Zimbabwe's premier league season has been resolved - for now. The Professional Soccer League (PSL) signed a record deal with mobile phone network Econet Wireless, while champions CAPS United signed a sponsorship deal with Net One, a direct competitor of Econet. CAPS insisted on wearing their sponsor's logo on their jerseys and had been barred from playing in the league as a result. They will now be allowed to participate, but must forego any prize money that the club and individual players would have been entitled to.

Furthermore, Econet will terminate their five-year sponsorship with the PSL at the end of the season, if CAPS have not terminated their three-year deal with Net One by then.

"CAPS have agreed to the conditions, and the league will now run smoothly unless someone throws a spanner in the works," PSL secretary Chris Sambo told BBC Sport. "It's morally not right for them to win prize money from a competitor of their own sponsor. It doesn't make sense. "Econet Wireless are very clear that we must look for another sponsor next season if CAPS stick with Net One."

Econet's contract with the PSL prohibits clubs from wearing the logos of their competitors.

But CAPS were refusing to back down, as club president Twine Phiri threatened to enter his team in a league in another country.

Under the terms of the truce, any PSL prize money that CAPS earn will be donated to a charity of Econet's choice.

CAPS and the PSL both have sponsorship deals worth $330,000 per season. (Herald)