The evolving scandal surrounding a sexual assault allegation against football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has escalated, as major sponsors Nike and EA publicly address the accusation for the first time.
The sportswear manufacturer, which has a sponsorship deal with Ronaldo worth an estimated $1 billion (£768 million) has expressed “deep concerns” over the allegation, saying it would “continue to closely monitor the situation”.
Another of Ronaldo’s major sponsors, video game company EA, has also said it is also monitoring the situation carefully, adding: “We expect cover athletes and ambassadors to conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent with EA's values.”
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo has been left out of the Portugal squad for its upcoming friendlies against Poland and Scotland later this month.
Former model and teacher Kathryn Mayorga claims the 33-year-old footballer assaulted her at a Las Vegas hotel in 2009, after meeting him at Rain Nightclub at the Palms Casino Resort.
Der Spiegel reports that Mayorga reported the alleged attack to Las Vegas police shortly after the incident took place in Ronaldo’s penthouse suite, however they declined to investigate further.
The following year, she signed a non-disclosure agreement regarding the allegation, and months later received a $375,000 (£288,000) out-of-court settlement from Ronaldo, the BBC says.
However, she recently went public with her story, saying she had been inspired by the #MeToo movement.
A lawyer acting on behalf of Mayorga is seeking to have the non-disclosure agreement declared null and void, arguing that his client has suffered from major depression and considered suicide following the alleged assault almost a decade ago.
Ronaldo issued a statement via Twitter, saying: “I firmly deny the accusations being issued against me. Rape is an abominable crime that goes against everything that I am and believe in.”
-
Nnela Kalu’s historic Turner Prize winTalking Point Glasgow-born artist is first person with a learning disability to win Britain’s biggest art prize
-
Bridget Riley: Learning to See – an ‘invigorating and magical ensemble’The Week Recommends The English artist’s striking paintings turn ‘concentration into reverie’
-
‘Stakeknife’: MI5’s man inside the IRAThe Explainer Freddie Scappaticci, implicated in 14 murders and 15 abductions during the Troubles, ‘probably cost more lives than he saved’, investigation claims
-
Femicide: Italy’s newest crimeThe Explainer Landmark law to criminalise murder of a woman as an ‘act of hatred’ or ‘subjugation’ but critics say Italy is still deeply patriarchal
-
Brazil’s Bolsonaro behind bars after appeals run outSpeed Read He will serve 27 years in prison
-
Americans traveling abroad face renewed criticism in the Trump eraThe Explainer Some of Trump’s behavior has Americans being questioned
-
Nigeria confused by Trump invasion threatSpeed Read Trump has claimed the country is persecuting Christians
-
Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime ministerIn the Spotlight Takaichi is a member of Japan’s conservative, nationalist Liberal Democratic Party
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
