Oil and gas giant Total has agreed a two-year deal to become the new title sponsor of the Copa Sudamericana, South American football’s secondary club competition.
The French multinational’s agreement with the South American Football Confederation (Conmebol) took effect from the start of the 2013 edition of the tournament, which commenced on Tuesday.
Total succeeds Japanese tyre firm Bridgestone, which has backed the event for the past two seasons.
Pierre-Yves Sachet, senior vice-president of Total in the Americas, said: “After seeing the excellent results of sponsorships with Boca Juniors and (Mexican club) America, we want to expand our activities in football.”