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'Absurd lie': Neymar hits back at Nike over sexual assault investigation

I don't even know her, Neymar said

neymar-psg-marseille-reuters Neymar | Reuters

Brazilian soccer player Neymar hit back at sportswear maker Nike Inc on Friday after the company terminated an endorsement deal because he refused to cooperate with an investigation into the alleged sexual assault of a Nike employee. Calling it an 'absurd lie', Neymar said he was not given an opportunity to defend himself.

The Wall Street Journal, citing former and current Nike employees as well as documents, had reported that the employee filed an internal complaint saying that "Neymar tried to force her to perform oral sex in his hotel room while in New York City where she was helping to coordinate events and logistics for Neymar and his entourage". The company didn't publicly give a reason to end the endorsement deal in August 2020.

In a post shared on Instagram, Neymar wrote: "Ever since I was 13 years old, when I signed my first contract, I was always warned: don't talk about your Agrements. Agreements are confidential! Contradict this rule and state that my contract was terminated because I did not contribute in good faith to an investigation, is an absurd lie. Once again I am warned that I cannot comment this or anything regarding to the agreement in public."

He added: "But the WSL story is very clear. In 2016 it seems that they already knew about this event. I didn´t! In 2017 I traveled again to the USA for another advertising campaign, with the same people, and nothing was told to me, nothing changed! In 2017, 2018, 2019 we made trips, advertising campaigns, countless shooting sections. And they told me nothing."

Responding to the allegation of sexual assault, Neymar said: "I was not given the opportunity to defend myself. I was not given the opportunity to know who this person was that was allegedly offended. I don't even know her. I've never had any kind of relationship or approach with this person. I didn't even have a chance to talk to her, to know the real reasons for her pain. That person, an employee, was not protected. I, a sponsored athlete, was not protected. Until when will this happen?"

"Neymar Jr. will vigorously defend himself against these baseless attacks in case any claim is presented, which did not happen so far," said a statement by the player's spokeswoman.

Neymar is currently at Brazil camp in Teresopolis, 120km outside Rio de Janeiro, preparing for the double round of South American World Cup Qualifiers in June.

-with PTI inputs

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