GARY NEVILLE blasted England’s principle sponsor Nike for standing by banned tennis star Maria Sharapova.
The American sportswear giant, along with racket maker Head, announced they are to stand by the Russian athlete despite her being hit with a two-year ban from the sport for using meldonium.
Neville, the former Manchester United and England right-back who will act as Roy Hodgson’s deputy at Euro 2016, hit out at the two brands on social media.
Quoting a Sky News report that announced their support, Neville wrote: “Really?”
However, the England assistant promptly deleted the Tweet, prompting some to question whether he had done so because of the deal between Nike and the Three Lions.
The American sportswear giant has a six-year deal with the Football Association that pays £25million annually.
Signed in 2012, the deal saw Nike take over from British firm Umbro.
However, Neville later made it obvious that he was aware of the deal and didn’t delete it for that reason.
Daily Telegraph journalist Ben Rumsby wrote: “Nike also sponsors England…”
To which Neville replied, in a sarcastic tone: “I wasn’t aware of that?”
Rumsby then said “Okay. Curious why you deleted the tweet though”.
Neville then said it “certainly wasn’t” to do with Nike.
He wrote: “I was imagining England v Russia headlines!!
“Certainly wasn’t to do with Nike!”
- For the latest Euro 2016 news go here: https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/euro-2016/
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