SAO PAULO (REUTERS) - Nike is "very concerned" about a rape accusation against Brazilian soccer star Neymar, the world's largest sportswear maker said on Thursday (June 6), raising questions about its sponsorship of one of the sport's most famous players.
Neymar denies the allegation of rape and has said the woman was trying to extort him. The woman appeared on Brazilian TV on Wednesday and said Neymar raped her in a Paris hotel.
Mastercard Inc also cancelled a planned ad campaign featuring the star of the Brazilian national team and French club Paris Saint-Germain, Brazilian media reported on Thursday.
Mastercard said in a statement it was suspending its use of Neymar in advertising until the situation is "cleared up," according to reports in Brazil's three biggest newspapers.
The Nike statement said "we are very concerned" by the allegations "and will continue to closely monitor the situation."
A press representative for Mastercard in Brazil confirmed to Reuters the company had planned a campaign to coincide with this month's Copa America tournament, but she did not confirm a decision to suspend Neymar's role.
US press representatives for the company did not immediately reply to requests for comment.
A police report seen by Reuters showed that a woman had accused Neymar, 27, of raping her at a Paris hotel last month. Sao Paulo police are investigating the accusation.
Following media reports on the matter, Neymar posted a long video on Instagram, in which he denied the accusations, said he was a victim of extortion and shared messages he exchanged with the alleged victim, including racy photos he had received.
That led police in Rio de Janeiro to open an investigation into whether Neymar had committed a crime by posting those intimate pictures online.
A press representative for Neymar did not respond to requests for comment on the Mastercard sponsorship on a Wednesday night interview his accuser gave the SBT TV station.
"I was a victim of rape," she said in her first on-camera interview since her accusation became public.
She said that she and Neymar began exchanging private messages over social media, and that he paid for her flight to Paris and her hotel.
She said the relationship was consensual at first, but that Neymar quickly became aggressive, began to hit her and forced her to have sex with him without the use of a condom, despite her telling him repeatedly to stop.
Some of Neymar's teammates have come out in support of him, but national team coach Tite declined to pass judgment on the matter.
The Brazilian Football Confederation said on Thursday that Neymar would be dropped from the national team for the Copa America because of an ankle injury suffered in a friendly match against Qatar the night before.
Atletico The Greatest Threat To Barca's La Liga Hopes - Valverde Zeeshan Mehtab 4 months ago Sat 26th January 2019 | 11:16 PM Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde has admitted he views Atletico Madrid as a greater threat to his side winning La Liga this season than Real Madrid
LONDON (AP) — Norwich is returning to the English Premier League after a three-year absence, and Sheffield United is likely to be promoted, too. Norwich, from eastern England, clinched one of
Norwich promoted to the Premier League - Sheffield United on
Apr 27, 2019 · LONDON (AP) — Norwich is returning to the English Premier League after a three-year absence, and Sheffield United is likely to be promoted, too. Norwich, from eastern England, clinched one of
Norwich Promoted To Premier League After Three-Year Absence
Philip Billing exposed the sick racist abuse he received in a message on his Instagram from a Huddersfield fan Credit: Twitter/Philip Biling West Yorkshire Police confirmed that a 16-year-old was
Huddersfield condemn racist abuse of Terriers star Billing
Football: Spain court acquits former FC Barcelona president
Marcus Rashford in form of life, Football News & Top Stories
England manager Phil Neville urged his players to "keep being ruthless" after their levels dropped in the second half of a 2-1 win over Scotland on Sunday. The Lionesses bossed things in the
Phil Neville says England Women need to be ruthless
City and Liverpool leave chasing pack facing tough summer. to dethrone Manchester City as Premier League champions ended in of the table they are far ahead of the chasing pack," he said.
City and Liverpool leave chasing pack facing tough summer
Egyptian football star Mohamed "Mo" Salah has called for change in the way women are treated in the Muslim world, in an interview with Time magazine published Wednesday. The 26-year-old
Mohamed Salah wants the Muslim world to treat its women
Tim Visser aiming for European glory at his future home as Edinburgh aim for the Stoop. Tim Visser has agreed to join Harlequins next season; Edinburgh one win away from European Challenge Cup
English quartet aiming for home glory at Wentworth - European
More than 3,000 bid farewell to Sala in Progreso, Football
Everton drop to fifth after Liverpool's 2-0 win against Hull City at Anfield, but Baines still feels the Toffees are in good shape at the start of the new year.
Everton vs Swansea: Instant Reaction | Easy in the end for
It's Man United again under Ole, Football News & Top Stories
Man City appeal possible Champions League ban By superliga On Jun 6, 2019 0 Lausanne (AFP) - Manchester City have launched a legal bid to stop UEFA banning them from the 2020-2021 Champions League , the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said on Monday.
Man City appeal possible Champions League ban - worldfootball.net
Everton's hopes of finishing in seventh and a potential Europa League qualification spot suffered a blow as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in the Premier League on
0 comments:
Post a Comment