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Nike stated it ended its collaboration with Neymar da Silva Santos Jr. — much better understood merely as Neymar — when the soccer super star declined to work together with an examination into sexual attack accusations versus him.
“Nike ended its relationship with the athlete because he refused to cooperate in a good faith investigation of credible allegations of wrongdoing by an employee,” Nike stated in a late Thursday declaration.
The Wall Street Journal initially reported the news.
The business revealed last summer season it had actually parted methods with Neymar however had actually not offered a factor for the unexpected relocation. The Journal reported that, at the time, there were still 8 years left in Neymar’s agreement with Nike.
The business stated it was “deeply disturbed” by an event that the staff member declared taken place in 2016.
A spokesperson for Neymar informed the WSJ that he rejects the accusations. CNBC was not instantly able to reach agents for the professional athlete.
Nike stated the staff member reported the accusations in 2018 and at first wished to keep it personal and prevent an examination. As an outcome, Nike stated it did not share information with police or a 3rd party, out of regard for the staff member’s personal privacy.
Nike stated it commissioned an independent examination into the accusations in 2019 when the staff member revealed interest in pursuing the matter. The business stated, nevertheless, the examination was undetermined.
“No single set of facts emerged that would enable us to speak substantively on the matter. It would be inappropriate for Nike to make an accusatory statement without being able to provide supporting facts,” the business stated.
In 2017, Neymar left Spanish club FC Barcelona to sign up with Paris Saint Germain for a record transfer charge of $263 million.
— CNBC’s Jessica Golden added to this report.
