Sponsors edgy at Ronaldo rap

– Sportswear maker Nike Inc and video game maker Electronic Arts Inc said on Thursday they were concerned about rape allegations against Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the world’s best football players.

The 33-year-old athlete on Tuesday denied rape allegations levelled against him by a woman who sued him in court in Nevada.

“We are deeply concerned by the disturbing allegations and will continue to closely monitor the situation,” Nike said.

Nike has worked with Ronaldo since 2003 and in 2016 announced a lifetime deal with him which could be worth $1 billion (R14.7bn), according to Forbes magazine. Electronic Arts has featured Ronaldo on the cover of its EA Sports’ Fifa series for two years. An EA spokesperson said

London

they were also watching the situation “as we expect cover athletes and ambassadors to conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent with EA’s values”.

Kathryn Mayorga sued Ronaldo in a district court in Clark County, Nevada, alleging he raped her in 2009 in a Las Vegas hotel penthouse suite.

The player has said his conscience was clear and that he would await the results of any investigation. “I firmly deny the accusations against me. Rape is an abominable crime that goes against everything I am and believe in,” he wrote in a tweet to his 75 million followers.

Ronaldo transferred to Italian champions Juventus this summer. Juventus broke their silence on Wednesday on Twitter, fully backing Ronaldo. – Reuters