Date: February 2nd 2010
Author: Grantley Bernard
From: Herald Sun

A ROW has erupted between Melbourne's two A-League teams before they face off next season.

The dispute surrounds Melbourne Heart chairman and part-owner Peter Sidwell, who is also chairman of gambling giant Intralot - the Victory's $1 million-a-year major sponsor.

Intralot chiefs have approached the Victory seeking permission to terminate their two-year sponsorship deal at the end of this season - effectively cutting short the arrangement by 12 months.

Sidwell, who also acts as manager and financial adviser to Magpies coach Mick Malthouse, declined to discuss the Victory arrangement.

"It's a commercial in-confidence deal," he said.

But Victory chairman Geoff Lord told the Herald Sun he expected Intralot to honour the deal, which includes having the gambling company's brand splashed across the front of the Melbourne Victory shirt.

"We have a contract which is binding," Lord said yesterday.
The two-season Intralot deal was signed in May last year and came with an option for a third season.

Intralot, which has suffered a poor start to its Victorian lottery operation, has until now been pleased with the exposure the table-leading Melbourne Victory has provided.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/soccer/battle-between-melbourne-heart-and-melbourne-victory-over-deal/story-e6frfg8x-1225828489093