Toyota expands AFC agreement to club competitions

Automotive manufacturer Toyota has become a full Asian Football Confederation partner, strengthening its ties with the regional governing body under a new two-year deal.

Toyota has been an official sponsor of AFC national team tournaments since 2012 and the new agreement means the Japan-based multinational will now back club competitions such as the AFC Champions League, the AFC Cup and the AFC Futsal Club tournaments.

AFC president Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said: “The AFC believes Toyota will maximise its sponsorship programme as an AFC partner and the AFC will also receive great benefits from Toyota’s activities. The automobile category is very important in Asia and this field will only get bigger and more important. The AFC is fully appreciative of Toyota’s support and believes this enhanced relationship will mutually strengthen our bond and benefit our long-term partnership.”

Under the partnership, which was brokered by the AFC’s exclusive marketing partner World Sport Group, Toyota will continue to support the federation’s grassroots football programmes.

The 2015 AFC Asian Cup national team showpiece begins in January, a month before the new AFC Champions League season.