Kaizer Chiefs midfielder George Lebese is in hot water with the club after his attempts to clinch a Puma endorsement without their knowledge.

A local football agent also threatened to take legal action against the player, claiming he kick-started negotiations for Lebese to land the boot sponsorship.

However, Chiefs have told the player, Puma and Josiah Mphono, the agent suggesting foul play, that the deal was null and void.

Lebese, who recently had charges of assault against him withdrawn, wore his new boots during the Soweto derby against Orlando Pirates at the weekend.

"It is all ambush marketing," said Amakhosi boss Bobby Motaung.

"When we realised that he would be using those boots on Saturday it was too late and we allowed him to go ahead because we didn't want to disturb his focus on the game.

"But we have since dealt with Puma and are dealing with the player. As far as the club is concerned, the agreement that they had is illegal and has been cancelled."

There have been numerous cases in previous weeks where Chiefs players have been caught in advertising gimmicks without the club's approval.

One of the reasons goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune and Chiefs could not agree on a new contract in May was said to have been his desire to own his image rights.

"We have had workshops with players to educate them about these issues," said Motaung.

"We have made it clear that any agent or company that does deals on our players will be taken to task.

"The club has to be contacted directly. What is also concerning is that the agent only went public once he felt cheated, but never announced the deal when it was done."

Lebese, who scored two goals in last night's MTN8 quarterfinal match against Maritzburg United at FNB Stadium, said Mphono was "trying to make a quick buck" using his name.

Mphono claimed to have been an adviser to Lebese since December, until the player signed a new three-year contract with Chiefs in June and dumped him.

"I feel like a lot of what George has done was in bad faith. I've spent time and money trying to help him, taking his contract to lawyers to have it assessed and even securing a move for him to Turkey, although he never signed it," the agent explained.

Puma were not available to comment.