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Nike hit back in Neville row

10/ 2/2005

GARY Neville's claims that Nike might look to gain commercial advantage from football's latest anti-racism campaign were today strenuously denied by the sportswear manufacturers.

The England defender looked to have provoked a possible confrontation with Nike, who sponsor Manchester United's kit, by making his outspoken comments after last night's international friendly against Holland.

Nike have been to the fore of the campaign to drum racism out of the world game since England's friendly against Spain last November, when the Bernabeu crowd aimed monkey chants at the likes of Ashley Cole and Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Neville welcomed the anti-racism initiatives taken by England and Holland last night at Villa Park but suggested the campaign might be "cheapened slightly by companies like Nike getting a lot of PR out of it for nothing".

Yet Nike UK's corporate communications manager, Simon Charlesworth, today insisted there was no ulterior motive to their campaigning, despite Neville's claims.

"The campaign isn't about publicity," he told the Press Association.

"It's about racism, and the fact remains that there is racism in football.

"We've spoken with all the relevant bodies such as Kick It Out, and we've had their approval.

"Even Gary Neville's team-mate, Rio Ferdinand, has come down to London to help with the campaign."

Charlesworth conceded that Neville was "entitled to his opinion".

"We can't stop him saying these things," he added.

Nike have a '300million, 10-year sponsorship and merchandising deal with United.

But that did not stop Neville speaking out about the firm who helped launch Thierry Henry's high-profile anti-racism campaign `Stand Up, Speak Up' along with United and England defender Ferdinand two weeks ago.

Neville said: "We don't have a big problem with racism in this country, you can think of probably one or two incidents in the last five or 10 years.

"We have to make sure that it 1/8the campaign3/8 is conducted in the right manner and not done just for PR like some of the sports companies seem to be doing at the moment.

"The FA and the England team have always campaigned against racism very well, we have just got to be aware that it is not cheapened slightly by companies like Nike getting a lot of PR out of it for nothing."

A Nike statement confirmed their commitment to the campaign fronted by Henry, who was at the centre of controversy last year when Spain coach Luis Aragones made racist remarks about the Frenchman during a training-ground conversation with his Highbury team-mate Jose Antonio Reyes.

"Racism in football is an issue that players feel strongly about," said the Nike statement.

"'Stand Up, Speak Up' has been initiated by Thierry Henry, with the support of Nike and players from many other countries.

"Money raised by the distribution of the black and white wristbands will be distributed to organisations across Europe working against racism in football."

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