AN FA hearing will decide whether women footballers will be banned from wearing their new sponsorship logo.

Chester-le-Street Ladies Football Club thought its funding worries were over when the club received sponsorship from author Keith Brown in the form of 20 tracksuits and the promise of more funds, depending on the success of his new book.

The tracksuit's logo No BollX, taken from the title of the self-development book, has caused a few raised eyebrows.

Durham County Football Association has written to the club, saying it must have permission to advertise with a logo or trademark.

The FA meets later this month to decide whether to grant permission. In the meantime players cannot wear the tracksuits to matches.

Mr Brown said he was consulting his solicitor.

He said: "The girls are just as committed to football as the men are, but they cannot get any sponsorship locally from businesses. Last year they were struggling to buy leather footballs. I pushed this through because they really needed the kit."

Coach Pauline Godward said if the FA ruled against them, they could also miss out on more money from spin-offs.

Durham County FA was unavailable for comment.