Mexican soccer Federation, Adidas announce sponsorship deal

The Mexican Football Federation and German sporting goods firm Adidas on Wednesday jointly announced an agreement for the German firm to sponsor the Mexican national team and to make the team's uniform for eight years starting in 2007.

Decio de Maria told reporters in Mexico City that has beaten a previous sponsorship offer, by United States rival Nike, by "a long way", without naming the price.

De Maria said that the deal with Adidas could help Mexico in setting up friendly matches with Argentina, Germany, France, Spain and Japan, where the brand already has a presence.

Thierry Weil, Adidas's worldwide marketing director, said that his company would support all Mexico's nation teams including the women's team, the under-17 team, and others recognized by the International Federation of Football Associations.

De Maria said however that Adidas would not sponsor the Olympic soccer squad, because this is under the Mexican Olympic Committee (COM)'s remit, and the COM have already chosen another sponsor.

The Federation will name a manager who will train both the under-23 team and the all ages national team for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, before Nov. 16, de Maria added.

He also said that the National Committee of Selectors would begin meeting on Friday to decide who will be Mexico's national team manager for the next four years.

Justino Compean, who became Federation president on Sept. 20, has begun restructuring Mexican football, beginning with sponsors.

Source: Xinhua