— The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has appointed the highly-experienced and internationally regarded Andrew Rogers as their new commercial director.

Rogers joins the AFC’s new management team after working in recent months as a consultant following his time with New Zealand Cricket, which followed more than 15 years in the football world.

A dual New Zealand and Swiss national, Rogers was Senior Legal Counsel at FIFA – working between 2001 and 2006 on the FIFA World Cups in Japan/Korea, Germany and South Africa. At FIFA, he was also involved in the development of FIFA’s first ‘New Media’ Business unit.

He then moved into Athletics and the Asian Games before joining UEFA’s agency TEAM Marketing where he ultimately became Commercial and Legal Director, following which he held the Commercial Director role for the FIFA U-20 World Cup staged in New Zealand.

As well as being New Zealand Cricket’s General Manager of Domestic Cricket, Rogers has also consulted in a wide range of other sports and countries including in relation to SANZAR Rugby Union and the National Rugby League in Australia as well as the FIFA Women’s U-20 World Cup in Papua New Guinea.

Dato’ Windsor John, the AFC General Secretary, said: “We are delighted to be able to appoint someone with Andrew’s vast experience. He has worked in football for more than 15 years and has also held senior management positions for more than 10 years.

“His knowledge across a wide range of organisations – from global rights holders, to National Federations, International agencies and Local Organising Committees – means that the AFC can call on a wealth of knowledge.”

Rogers will oversee the newly created Commercial Department at the AFC which will manage the relationship with new commercial partner DDMC Fortis as well as planning, commercial and media rights strategy, brand, broadcasting and marketing.