FIFA Prevents Singer Claudia Leitte From Posing With Barça Jersey Over Sponsor Conflict

Brazilian singer Claudia Leitte on Wednesday "became an involuntary protagonist of a World Cup anecdote" while addressing the media, according to SPORT. When a Spanish journalist asked Leitte to "pose for a picture with a Barcelona shirt," she was willing, but "FIFA sharply prohibited her from taking the picture." The motive? Adidas and Emirates sponsor FIFA, while the Barcelona shirt is sponsored by Nike and Qatar Airways, "two brands in direct competition with FIFA's interests" (SPORT, 6/12). MUNDO DEPORTIVO reported Leitte was "discussing her preparations for the World Cup Opening Ceremony." Leitte "was scheduled to perform 'We Are One,' the official World Cup song, ahead of the tournament's first game on Thursday afternoon" (MUNDO DEPORTIVO, 6/12).