Fredrobie Concept Zambia Limited has launched a countersuit against the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ), demanding K15 million in compensation for lost income from sponsorship and ticket sales related to the Division One play-offs.
The marketing agency has also petitioned the Lusaka High Court to issue an order restraining FAZ from using its SS concepts, strategy, or business model—either directly or indirectly—with another partner for at least 25 years.
This legal battle began last month when FAZ filed a lawsuit against Fredrobie, seeking K1 million in damages for breach of contract.
FAZ accused the agency of failing to fulfill its obligation to sponsor and organize the Division One play-offs as agreed.
The association’s lawsuit demands compensation for match officials’ expenses and the immediate delivery of KoPa-branded football kits.
FAZ is also seeking damages for breach of contract, exemplary damages, and interest on all outstanding amounts.
In response, Fredrobie has countered these claims, arguing that FAZ itself failed to uphold key aspects of their agreement, making it impossible for the agency to fulfill its commitments.
Fredrobie contended that FAZ’s delays and lack of cooperation significantly hindered its ability to generate revenue from sponsorship deals.
One of the primary issues cited was the late approval of play-off dates.
According to Fredrobie, despite reaching out to FAZ as early as February 2024 for confirmation, the association only finalized the dates after May 31, 2024, leaving sponsors with little time to make financial decisions and ultimately affecting the company’s revenue stream.
Fredrobie also accuses FAZ of refusing to allow all matches to be played at Heroes Stadium, a decision that allegedly disrupted the agency’s business plans.
The marketing agency had planned various entertainment activities at the venue to attract larger crowds and boost ticket and sponsorship sales.
Despite initial discussions with FAZ about using Heroes Stadium, the association reportedly made a last-minute decision to move matches to other venues.
Fredrobie claims this abrupt change made it impossible to secure artists and entertainers, which in turn affected attendance and financial projections.
Moreover, Fredrobie alleges that FAZ was unresponsive to its inquiries.
The agency claims that FAZ failed to provide crucial details and did not respond to emails or WhatsApp messages, making coordination difficult.
A specific instance of this alleged lack of communication was FAZ’s failure to provide price quotations for KoPa jerseys and match balls, despite repeated follow-ups.
Fredrobie argued that without this information, it could not effectively manage certain sponsorship-related tasks.
Adding to the dispute, Fredrobie’s CEO, Stanley Kasiya, claims that during a phone conversation with FAZ General-Secretary, Reuben Kamanga, in the presence of project manager Kelvin Ngoma, FAZ allegedly agreed to cover all play-off expenses, with Fredrobie expected to reimburse the costs later.
However, Fredrobie says it has yet to receive an official letter detailing the expenditure and repayment terms.
Fredrobie maintains that any financial losses incurred by FAZ were due to the association’s breaches of contract, not the agency’s failure to perform.
The agency has denied any liability and dismissed FAZ’s claims outright.
In its counterclaim, Fredrobie argues that FAZ’s actions have resulted in a significant loss of income, estimated at K15 million.
The agency asserts that this amount could have been generated from sponsorship deals and ticket sales if FAZ had fulfilled its contractual obligations.
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