AFRICAN LYON PRESS CONFERENCE

We would first like to thank the following entities for their tremendous support during these difficult times.

1.      Club Owners Association of the Premier League Clubs (All 14 Teams). The clubs have shown maturity and unity in this issue, something that has never happened before. Due to new leadership of various clubs we are very confident as we move forward, the future will be bright. Despite Vodacom’s refusal to comply with our request and TFF’s conduct, clubs have shown their willingness to fight together and put the interest of the league first.

2.      Media Outlets and Sports Analysts.  The media has done a thorough job in asking the difficult questions and more important doing their homework to clearly show that a lot of statements made by TFF are simply not true. This was not done on our behalf but on the behalf of the readers and listeners.

3.      You, the soccer fan. We thank you because your support in this shows the true passion and level of understanding Tanzanians have with regards to what is required to move this country to the next level of soccer development. You have recognized what it takes to bring about positive change in our sport and you have been heard.

4.      Our current sponsor, Zantel for showing true commitment to the development of soccer in Tanzania by maintaining their 100% sponsorship commitment to our youth development program despite the obstacles we have faced in honoring our side of the contract.

5.      African Lyon Fan, Management and Supporters. We are thankful to those very close to us who have supported us and given us the necessary courage to fight for what we still believe is right. Their wisdom and advice prevented a more tragic turn of events.

There have been efforts over the last few weeks to push under the rug the “exclusivity” debacle that erupted just prior to the start of the league.  We are here in front of you to put things straight because thus far, the method in which things have been handled has portrayed a very negative image of African Lyon’s management. The primary objective of this press conference is to clear our name. It is very worrisome when the body that has been tasked to develop this beautiful sport has placed the blame on a small club like African Lyon when in essence the problem was a direct result of their action or lack of action. If we do not resolve this issue now, it is more than likely to become a problem again in the future and may involve larger clubs who will put up an even stronger fight.

The following are FACTS and we would like TFF to dispute them otherwise

1.      The contract between TFF and Vodacom was signed on August 11^th 2012, just 4 days before the start of the league.

2.      Clubs were not aware that the contract had been signed by TFF at the start of the league.

3.      Clubs had insisted that the contract should also be signed by at least three members of club owners, this did not occur.

4.      It is NOT true as stated by the President of TFF, when supporting Vodacom’s  “exclusivity” clause, that the clubs requesting an end to this clause is unprecedented. We have discovered the contrary – for example, in Ghana, the Ghana Premier League is currently sponsored by Glo Mobile Ghana with one of the teams in the league – Asante Kotoko, sponsored by MTN Ghana.  This is to name a few.

5.      Vodacom will not compensate African Lyon for denying them a potential sponsor due to her clause

6.      TFF will not compensate African Lyon for accepting the clause at the last minute prior to the league resuming.

7.      Access to the contract for clubs to understand the clauses and issues involved is limited to going to TFF office and looking at the contract there.

8.      Not one club knows the entire context of the contract, of which TFF claims has been signed and endorsed by club owners.

9.      The new contract that was recently signed still allows Vodacom until the last hour to exercise their First Right Of Refusal which clearly puts all club owners at a disadvantage with regards to getting new club sponsors.

10.  The sponsorship package being offered by Vodacom is not sufficient for any premier league club.

African Lyon cannot challenge Vodacom because the contract was between them and TFF. However, legally we have a very strong case against TFF.  We ask the following questions to TFF.

1.      Did you expect clubs to put all their efforts to secure sponsorship on hold until you signed a contract with Vodacom, which would have been just 4 days before the league starts? 

2.      Would you actually relegate African Lyon if we fail to make it to Kagera, Mbeya due to lack of funds?

Instead of TFF making a case to the public that they unsuccessfully worked with clubs to try and remove the “exclusivity” clause, they are the ones making a case on behalf of Vodacom’s marketing department that the “exclusivity” clause should have been there. Why would you fight Vodacom’s battle with the public who clearly feel that the “clause” hurts the development of this game?

African Lyon is demanding the following from TFF;

1.      TFF should accept responsibility for this fiasco due to the ill-timed manner that the contract was signed.

2.      TFF should come forward and acknowledge to the public that they could have handled the entire contract renewal process better.

3.      TFF should contact Zantel to thank them for NOT withdrawing their commitment to sponsor African Lyon.

African Lyon’s management made contact with various government organs and respectable individuals to inform and invite them to the unveiling of our sponsorship. We owe these people a better explanation than what has been provided to them.

Our primary focus is on youth development and the success of our various programs, which will eventually benefit TFF, relies on help from potential sponsors like Zantel. Thus, it is very important we move forward from this and that the ownership of the problems does not fall on the clubs.

It is clear that Zantel’s commitment to youth development will help members beyond African Lyon. TFF will be a major beneficiary of this cause, as the kids involved will eventually play on the national team and in higher leagues, furthering the level of excellence of Tanzanian football.