Nike is defending a 1996 contract from Brazil after the U.S. Department of Justice alleged that FIFA soccer officials took bribes.
Nike released a statement on Thursday saying that the company wasn’t aware of bribes and that it is cooperating with U.S. Authorities, according to Bloomberg.
The Justice Department has been accused of getting kickbacks from what’s been dubbed “Sportswear Company A” after a $160 million contract was signed. In 1996, Nike had signed with Brazil’s national soccer team, prompting the investigation.
“The indictment says Sportswear Company A paid an additional $40 million to an affiliate of the firm that helped broker the deal,” according to Bloomberg, “and half of that was transferred in kickbacks and bribes to former Brazil soccer president Ricardo Teixeira.”
“There is no allegation in the charging documents that any Nike employee was aware of or knowingly participated in any bribery or kickback scheme,” Nike said in the statement to Bloomberg. “Nike believes in ethical and fair play in both business and sport and strongly opposes any form of manipulation or bribery.”
Coins2Day has reached out to Nike for comment.