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May 28, 2021 – Clarification | Clarification
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In light of the news report published in the media revealing that a Nike employee has accused athlete Neymar Jr. of alleged harassment she reportedly suffered in 2016—a matter that was promptly reported to the Company—which, according to the report, failed to take timely action, some clarifications are necessary.
We have first transcribed the information provided to the Wall Street Journal reporter:
“Neymar Jr. denies these accusations. Similar to the sexual assault allegations made against him in 2019—allegations in which Brazilian authorities recognized his innocence—these allegations are false. Neymar Jr., if sued—which has never happened—will vigorously defend himself against these baseless attacks. Neymar Jr. and Nike ended their relationship for business reasons, which had been under discussion since 2019 and are in no way related to these reported events. It is very strange that a case supposedly dating back to 2016, involving allegations by a Nike employee, is only coming to light now.”
As for the allegations, there is nothing further to add because, over the course of these five years, Neymar has never been directly accused or sued by the Nike employee.
Regarding the statements made by Nike—in an inappropriate and irresponsible manner by the Company’s General Counsel, Hilary Krane—regarding the alleged reason for the termination of the contract with the athlete Neymar Jr., it is important to clarify that the actual and true facts are entirely unrelated to the statement made.
Notwithstanding all the falsehoods that have been reported, we will not, for the time being, disclose the documents that reveal the terms of the contract’s termination, for obvious reasons of strict confidentiality, in full compliance with the ethical and corporate governance principles that should guide a company’s conduct.
The appropriate measures are already being taken, and soon the real reasons will be revealed and the facts clarified.
NEYMAR SPORT AND MARKETING, LTD.
May 28, 2021
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Clarification
In light of media reports revealing that a Nike employee has accused athlete Neymar Jr. of alleged harassment she supposedly suffered in 2016—a matter that was reportedly brought to the Company’s attention at the time, but which, according to the reports, the Company did not address—some clarifications are needed.
We first transcribe the information provided in the Wall Street Journal article:
“Neymar Jr. denies these allegations. Similar to the sexual assault allegations made against him in 2019—allegations in which the Brazilian authorities found Neymar Jr. not guilty—these allegations are false. Neymar Jr. will vigorously defend himself against these baseless attacks should any claim be filed, which has not happened so far.”
Neymar Jr. and Nike ended their partnership for commercial reasons—a decision that had been under discussion since 2019—and it had nothing to do with the reported incidents.
"It is very strange that a case that is said to have occurred in 2016—involving allegations made by a Nike employee—has only come to light now."
Regarding the accusations, there is nothing further to add because, over the past five years, the athlete Neymar was never directly accused or prosecuted by the Nike employee.
Regarding Nike’s statements—made inappropriately and irresponsibly by the company’s General Counsel, Hilary Krane—regarding the alleged reason for terminating the contract with the athlete Neymar Jr., it is important to clarify that the actual facts are completely at odds with the statement provided.
Despite all the reported falsehoods, we will not, for the time being, disclose the documents detailing the terms of the contract’s termination, for obvious reasons of strict secrecy and confidentiality, in full compliance with the ethical and corporate governance principles that should guide a company’s conduct.
The appropriate measures are already being taken, and soon the real reasons will be revealed and the facts clarified.
NEYMAR SPORT AND MARKETING, LTD.
May 28, 2021
