Nike Drops Soccer Star Neymar After Sexual Assault Claim

  • Neymar would not cooperate in probe into employee’s charges
  • Athlete’s representative calls the allegations ‘baseless’

Neymar 

Photographer: Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images

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Nike Inc. said it ended its partnership with Neymar after the Brazilian soccer star wouldn’t cooperate in a probe of sexual assault allegations against him made by a company employee.

“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,” the company said in a statement. “From the very beginning, we have treated the employee’s allegations and her experience with great seriousness.”