Neymar has denied the allegation and claimed the woman was trying to extort himgetty images
Mastercard has "canceled an advertising campaign" featuring Brazil and PSG F Neymar after a woman "accused him of raping her in a Paris hotel," according to REUTERS. Mastercard in a statement said that it was "suspending its use of Neymar in advertising until the situation is 'cleared up.'" Neymar "denies the allegation of rape and has claimed the woman was trying to extort him" (REUTERS, 6/6). A spokesperson for Mastercard in Brazil said that the company had "planned an advertising campaign to coincide with this month’s Copa America tournament but she did not confirm reports in Brazil’s three biggest newspapers that Mastercard had decided to suspend Neymar’s featuring in it." Meanwhile, REUTERS' Balu & Simões note Nike is "very concerned" about the accusation, "raising questions about its sponsorship of one of the sport’s most famous players." Brazilian airline Gol Linhas Aereas Inteligentes SA, which featured Neymar in the run-up to the '18 World Cup, said that it was a "sponsor of the national team but not individual players." McDonald’s and P&G's Gillette brand, which both featured Neymar prominently in ad campaigns last year, said that they had "no current contract with him" (REUTERS, 6/6).
