By Sara Germano
The sweeping U.S. crackdown on alleged corruption at FIFA
appears to have snagged Nike Inc. in its net.
Among the details in the Justice Department's indictment are
allegations of bribery involving efforts by "a multinational
sportswear company headquartered in the United States" to win an
apparel licensing deal with Brazil's national soccer team.
Nike isn't named in the indictment, which refers to the party as
"Sportswear Company A." But according to Nike's website the company
signed a sponsorship deal with Brazilian national soccer federation
CBF in 1996, the same year in which the events described in the
indictment take place.
Nike wouldn't comment specifically on the issues raised in the
indictment but said it is concerned by the allegations and is
cooperating with the investigation.
"Nike believes in ethical and fair play in both business and
sport and strongly opposes any form of manipulation or bribery,"
the company said in an emailed statement. "We have been
cooperating, and will continue to cooperate, with the
authorities."
Write to Sara Germano at sara.germano@wsj.com
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