BEVERLY HILLS, May 29, (THEWILL) – Brazilian superstar Neymar, who plies his trade as a playmaker for former Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain, released his defense against a sexual assault allegation made against his person, which resulted in the termination of his endorsement deal with sportswear manufacturer Nike.
Neymar turned to Instagram to post an outright denial of the assault, which, it turns out, was made by a Nike employee against the footballer. The post read, in part:
“Facts can be distorted because people see them from different angles. We cannot deny that life is like this. That’s life!
“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?
“Irony of fate I will continue to stamp a brand on my chest that betrayed me. That’s life for you! I remain firm and strong, believing that time, always this cruel time, will bring the true answers. Faith in God!”
The news broke this week that Nike cut ties with Neymar last year following an investigation by the company into an allegation made by a female employee who said Neymar had sexually assaulted her in 2016, which she relayed to friends and colleagues as at the time it took place.
The female staffer in question described the harrowing experience saying: “In 2016 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.”
An official complaint was filed with Nike by the female staffer two years after the alleged assault, and the company hired a law firm in 2019 to investigate the allegation and get to the root of the accusation. The company then terminated Neymar’s contract after the player “refused to cooperate in a good faith investigation of credible allegations of wrongdoing by an employee.”
THEWILL recalls that in the same year, another woman, a Brazilian this time, accused Neymar of raping her in a Paris hotel, but police closed the case and no charges were filed due to a lack of evidence to determine what truly took place.
Nike and Neymar have come a long way as the Brazilian has had a merchandising deal with the sportswear manufacturer since 2005 when he was still a 13-year-old with a brilliant professional career in front of him.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
