Former world number one Serena Williams entered the second round of French Open after she recovered from a poor first set to win 2-6, 6-1, 6-0 on Monday.&nbsp;

More than her performance, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/serena-williams-reveals-reason-of-wearing-superhero-like-black-catsuit-140967">Serena's dress made headlines</a> at the Roland Garros as she chose a bold outfit for her first-round match against Russia’s Vitalia Diatchenko.&nbsp;

Serena wore the Nike-backed black-and-white cape when she entered the court and when she removed it, a black and white zebra-stripe print dress was revealed, split at one thigh.&nbsp;

On her cape, the legend of 'mother, champion, queen, goddess' was written in French.&nbsp;

"It was just to remind everyone that they can be champions and are queens. So I love that about it," she said of her 2019 dress and cape.

Lat year, Serena had caused a stir at the French Open with her Black Panther catsuit, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/french-open-to-ban-serena-williams-superhero-like-black-catsuit-161409">which was subsequently banned</a>.&nbsp;

Roland Garros chiefs had said that the outfit that Serena wore will not be accepted they also described the outfit as "going too far".&nbsp;

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Let the Roland Garros begin. Here is my French Open look designed by <a href="https://twitter.com/virgilabloh?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@virgilabloh</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/Nike?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Nike</a>. <a href="https://t.co/niiyqoI94m">pic.twitter.com/niiyqoI94m</a>
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) <a href="https://twitter.com/serenawilliams/status/1132633035684421632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 26, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"You know, I have been dealing with a lot, and then I just got nervous out there and I stopped moving my feet.&nbsp;

"There were like concrete blocks on my feet. I was, like, 'You gotta do something'," said Serena.&nbsp;

Former world number one Serena Williams entered the second round of French Open after she recovered from a poor first set to win 2-6, 6-1, 6-0 on Monday. More than her performance, Serena's dress made headlines at the Roland Garros as she chose a bold outfit for her first-round match against Russia’s Vitalia Diatchenko.

Former world number one Serena Williams entered the second round of French Open after she recovered from a poor first set to win 2-6, 6-1, 6-0 on Monday. More than her performance, Serena's dress made headlines at the Roland Garros as she chose a bold outfit for her first-round match against Russia’s Vitalia Diatchenko. Serena wore the Nike-backed black-and-white cape when she entered the court and when she removed it, a black and white zebra-stripe print dress was revealed, split at one thigh. On her cape, the legend of 'mother, champion, queen, goddess' was written in French. "It was just to remind everyone that they can be champions and are queens. So I love that about it," she said of her 2019 dress and cape. Lat year, Serena had caused a stir at the French Open with her Black Panther catsuit, which was subsequently banned. Roland Garros chiefs had said that the outfit that Serena wore will not be accepted they also described the outfit as "going too far". Let the Roland Garros begin. Here is my French Open look designed by @virgilabloh and @Nike. pic.twitter.com/niiyqoI94m — Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) May 26, 2019 × "You know, I have been dealing with a lot, and then I just got nervous out there and I stopped moving my feet. "There were like concrete blocks on my feet. I was, like, 'You gotta do something'," said Serena.

Serena Williams unveils new French Open outfit

German sportswear group Puma reported a record quarter in sales and earnings on Friday, driven by healthy demand in China and the Americas after it reentered the basketball market.

Puma has been growing faster than its bigger German rival Adidas and market leader Nike, helped by savvy social media campaigns and partnerships with celebrities like singers Selena Gomez and Rihanna and rap mogul Jay-Z.

Nike last month reported quarterly revenue that failed to beat Wall Street estimates for the first time in more than a year, as sales fell short of expectations in its biggest market of North America, sending its shares tumbling 5 per cent.

Puma's first-quarter sales rose a currency-adjusted 15.3 percent to 1.32 billion euros ($1.47 billion), versus an analyst consensus for 1.3 billion.

Operating profit came in at 143 million euros versus a consensus forecast of 139 million.

"The first quarter of 2019 was the best quarter PUMA has ever seen," Chief Executive Bjorn Gulden said in a statement, adding that revenue and absolute operating profit were the highest it had ever achieved.

Still, Puma held off raising its guidance for the full year, which analysts regard as conservative

"Even if we have nine more months to go and despite a lot of uncertainty in the market, we feel comfortable that we will achieve our guidance for the full year," Gulden said.

Puma has forecast currency-adjusted sales growth of about 10 per cent and operating profit of 395-415 million euros.

Adidas has forecast currency-neutral group sales growth of 5-8 per cent in 2019 as it grapples with supply issues, while Nike expects sales to grow in the low double digits.

Puma's first-quarter sales rose a currency-adjusted 28.6 per cent in Asia, and 16.3 per cent in the Americas, helped by Puma's launch of its first basketball shoe in 20 years in September.

German sportswear group Puma reported a record quarter in sales and earnings on Friday, driven by healthy demand in China and the Americas after it reentered the basketball market.

German sportswear group Puma reported a record quarter in sales and earnings on Friday, driven by healthy demand in China and the Americas after it reentered the basketball market. Puma has been growing faster than its bigger German rival Adidas and market leader Nike, helped by savvy social media campaigns and partnerships with celebrities like singers Selena Gomez and Rihanna and rap mogul Jay-Z. Nike last month reported quarterly revenue that failed to beat Wall Street estimates for the first time in more than a year, as sales fell short of expectations in its biggest market of North America, sending its shares tumbling 5 per cent. Puma's first-quarter sales rose a currency-adjusted 15.3 percent to 1.32 billion euros ($1.47 billion), versus an analyst consensus for 1.3 billion. Operating profit came in at 143 million euros versus a consensus forecast of 139 million. "The first quarter of 2019 was the best quarter PUMA has ever seen," Chief Executive Bjorn Gulden said in a statement, adding that revenue and absolute operating profit were the highest it had ever achieved. Still, Puma held off raising its guidance for the full year, which analysts regard as conservative "Even if we have nine more months to go and despite a lot of uncertainty in the market, we feel comfortable that we will achieve our guidance for the full year," Gulden said. Puma has forecast currency-adjusted sales growth of about 10 per cent and operating profit of 395-415 million euros. Adidas has forecast currency-neutral group sales growth of 5-8 per cent in 2019 as it grapples with supply issues, while Nike expects sales to grow in the low double digits. Puma's first-quarter sales rose a currency-adjusted 28.6 per cent in Asia, and 16.3 per cent in the Americas, helped by Puma's launch of its first basketball shoe in 20 years in September.

Puma reports 'best ever' quarter for sales and profit, beating Adidas and Nike

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/stormy-daniels-lawyer-charged-with-trying-to-extort-20-million-from-nike-205631">Attorney Michael Avenatti</a>, who represented adult film star Stormy Daniels in her legal battles with US President Donald Trump said that he was confident he will succeed as he appeared in a court on Monday.

"For nearly 20 years, I've represented Davids versus Goliaths as an attorney and during that entire time period, I've relied upon the justice system and judges in courthouses just like this," Avenatti said.

"I will now spend the time in connection with this case and the case in New York relying on that same justice system that I have subjected myself to, and I am highly confident that when the process plays out that justice will be done," Avenatti added.

The 48-year-old attorney was charged on March 25 with what prosecutors said was an attempt to "shakedown" Nike for over $20 million and is also accused of embezzling a client's funds from a $1.6 million settlement in order to pay his own expenses and debts.

He was later released from jail on a $300,000 personal recognizance bond.

Daniels, 48, who is no longer represented by Avenatti, said she was "saddened but not shocked" by his arrest, adding she fired him after learning he had acted "dishonestly" with her.

(With inputs from agencies)

Attorney Michael Avenatti, who represented adult film star Stormy Daniels in her legal battles with US President Donald Trump said that he was confident he will succeed as he appeared in a court on Monday.

Attorney Michael Avenatti, who represented adult film star Stormy Daniels in her legal battles with US President Donald Trump said that he was confident he will succeed as he appeared in a court on Monday. "For nearly 20 years, I've represented Davids versus Goliaths as an attorney and during that entire time period, I've relied upon the justice system and judges in courthouses just like this," Avenatti said. "I will now spend the time in connection with this case and the case in New York relying on that same justice system that I have subjected myself to, and I am highly confident that when the process plays out that justice will be done," Avenatti added. The 48-year-old attorney was charged on March 25 with what prosecutors said was an attempt to "shakedown" Nike for over $20 million and is also accused of embezzling a client's funds from a $1.6 million settlement in order to pay his own expenses and debts. He was later released from jail on a $300,000 personal recognizance bond. Daniels, 48, who is no longer represented by Avenatti, said she was "saddened but not shocked" by his arrest, adding she fired him after learning he had acted "dishonestly" with her. (With inputs from agencies)

Highly confident that justice will be done: Stormy Daniels' lawyer

Attorney Michael Avenatti, who represented <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-judge-dismisses-stormy-daniels-hush-money-agreement-case-vs-trump-201920">adult film star Stormy Daniels</a> in her legal battles with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-signs-proclamation-recognising-israeli-sovereignty-over-golan-heights-205595">US President Donald Trump</a>, was charged on Monday with what prosecutors said was an attempt to "shakedown" Nike Inc for over $20 million.

Avenatti, who was also hit with separate embezzlement and fraud charges in US District Court in Los Angeles, was arrested in New York.

A federal magistrate judge ordered Avenatti released on $300,000 bond during a hearing in US District Court in New York. A subdued Avenatti, appeared in the courtroom wearing a dark grey suit, sitting with federal public defenders.

"When due process occurs I will be fully exonerated and justice will prevail," Avenatti said outside the court following the hearing.

Prosecutors said Avenatti and another lawyer, who was not named in court papers, met with Nike's attorneys on March 19 and told them they had a client, a former amateur coach, who had evidence Nike employees had bribed top high school players to play for Nike-sponsored college teams.

The other lawyer, an unnamed co-conspirator, was identified by The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, citing sources, as high-profile Los Angeles attorney and CNN contributor Mark Geragos.

Geragos did not respond to a request by Reuters for comment. A spokeswoman for CNN said Geragos was no longer with the network.

According to the criminal complaint, Avenatti told Nike he would go public unless it paid his client $1.5 million and hired him and the other lawyer to conduct an internal investigation for between $15 million and $25 million.

Avenatti also offered to accept a $22.5 million payment for his silence, prosecutors said.

A former executive at Nike rival athletic shoe maker Adidas was recently convicted in federal court in Manhattan of participating in a similar scheme, part of a sweeping probe by prosecutors of corruption surrounding the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The case has ensnared several prominent basketball coaches.

In one call, Avenatti threatened, "I'll go take ten billion dollars off your client's market cap ... I'm not fucking around," according to the complaint.

Geragos, who has represented celebrities such as Michael Jackson and Winona Ryder, is defending the actor Jussie Smollett, who is charged with falsely reporting he was the victim of a racially motivated attack in Chicago.

It was not clear why Geragos has not been charged in the Nike case.

"Old-fashioned shakedown''

The charges came shortly after Avenatti said on Twitter he would hold a news conference on Tuesday to reveal "a major high school/college basketball scandal" reaching "the highest levels of Nike."

"A suit and tie does not mask the fact that, at its core, this was an old-fashioned shakedown," Geoffrey Berman, the US attorney in Manhattan, told a news conference.

Nike said in a statement it "will not be extorted" and alerted investigators to Avenatti's demands immediately.

Federal prosecutors in California unveiled separate charges against Avenatti on Monday, accusing him of misusing a client's $1.6 million settlement to pay for his own expenses as well as those for his coffee business.

He was also charged with defrauding a Mississippi bank of $4.1 million in loans by submitting false tax returns for 2011-2013 that inflated his income.

Avenatti faces up to 30 years in prison on the most serious charge in California and up to 20 years for the top charge in New York.

He gained international notoriety for representing Daniels, the porn star whom Trump is accused of paying off during the 2016 presidential campaign to keep quiet about an alleged affair. Trump has denied having an affair with Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford.

Daniels, 48, who is no longer represented by Avenatti, said she was "saddened but not shocked" by his arrest, adding she fired him after learning he had acted "dishonestly" with her.

Attorney Michael Avenatti, who represented adult film star Stormy Daniels in her legal battles with US President Donald Trump, was charged on Monday with what prosecutors said was an attempt to "shakedown" Nike Inc for over $20 million.

Attorney Michael Avenatti, who represented adult film star Stormy Daniels in her legal battles with US President Donald Trump, was charged on Monday with what prosecutors said was an attempt to "shakedown" Nike Inc for over $20 million. Avenatti, who was also hit with separate embezzlement and fraud charges in US District Court in Los Angeles, was arrested in New York. A federal magistrate judge ordered Avenatti released on $300,000 bond during a hearing in US District Court in New York. A subdued Avenatti, appeared in the courtroom wearing a dark grey suit, sitting with federal public defenders. "When due process occurs I will be fully exonerated and justice will prevail," Avenatti said outside the court following the hearing. Prosecutors said Avenatti and another lawyer, who was not named in court papers, met with Nike's attorneys on March 19 and told them they had a client, a former amateur coach, who had evidence Nike employees had bribed top high school players to play for Nike-sponsored college teams. The other lawyer, an unnamed co-conspirator, was identified by The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, citing sources, as high-profile Los Angeles attorney and CNN contributor Mark Geragos. Geragos did not respond to a request by Reuters for comment. A spokeswoman for CNN said Geragos was no longer with the network. According to the criminal complaint, Avenatti told Nike he would go public unless it paid his client $1.5 million and hired him and the other lawyer to conduct an internal investigation for between $15 million and $25 million. Avenatti also offered to accept a $22.5 million payment for his silence, prosecutors said. A former executive at Nike rival athletic shoe maker Adidas was recently convicted in federal court in Manhattan of participating in a similar scheme, part of a sweeping probe by prosecutors of corruption surrounding the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The case has ensnared several prominent basketball coaches. In one call, Avenatti threatened, "I'll go take ten billion dollars off your client's market cap ... I'm not fucking around," according to the complaint. Geragos, who has represented celebrities such as Michael Jackson and Winona Ryder, is defending the actor Jussie Smollett, who is charged with falsely reporting he was the victim of a racially motivated attack in Chicago. It was not clear why Geragos has not been charged in the Nike case. "Old-fashioned shakedown'' The charges came shortly after Avenatti said on Twitter he would hold a news conference on Tuesday to reveal "a major high school/college basketball scandal" reaching "the highest levels of Nike." "A suit and tie does not mask the fact that, at its core, this was an old-fashioned shakedown," Geoffrey Berman, the US attorney in Manhattan, told a news conference. Nike said in a statement it "will not be extorted" and alerted investigators to Avenatti's demands immediately. Federal prosecutors in California unveiled separate charges against Avenatti on Monday, accusing him of misusing a client's $1.6 million settlement to pay for his own expenses as well as those for his coffee business. He was also charged with defrauding a Mississippi bank of $4.1 million in loans by submitting false tax returns for 2011-2013 that inflated his income. Avenatti faces up to 30 years in prison on the most serious charge in California and up to 20 years for the top charge in New York. He gained international notoriety for representing Daniels, the porn star whom Trump is accused of paying off during the 2016 presidential campaign to keep quiet about an alleged affair. Trump has denied having an affair with Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford. Daniels, 48, who is no longer represented by Avenatti, said she was "saddened but not shocked" by his arrest, adding she fired him after learning he had acted "dishonestly" with her.

Stormy Daniels' lawyer charged with trying to extort $20 million from Nike

Sportswear maker Nike Inc and video game maker Electronic Arts Inc (EA) said on Thursday they were concerned about rape allegations against Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the world's best football players.

The 33-year-old athlete on Tuesday denied rape allegations levelled against him by a woman who sued him in court in Nevada.

"We are deeply concerned by the disturbing allegations and will continue to closely monitor the situation," Nike said in a statement.

Nike has worked with Ronaldo since 2003 and in 2016 announced a lifetime deal with him which could be worth as much as $1 billion, according to Forbes magazine.

Nike did not respond immediately to a request to confirm the statement.

Electronic Arts has featured Ronaldo on the cover of its EA Sports' FIFA series for two years.

"We have seen the concerning report that details allegations against Cristiano Ronaldo," an EA spokesperson said in an email to Reuters.

"We are closely monitoring the situation, as we expect cover athletes and ambassadors to conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent with EA's values," the company said.

Kathryn Mayorga sued Ronaldo in a district court in Clark County, Nevada, alleging he raped her in 2009 in a Las Vegas hotel penthouse suite.

The player has said his conscience was clear and that he would await the results of any investigation.

"I firmly deny the accusations being issued against me. Rape is an abominable crime that goes against everything that I am and believe in," the world-famous athlete wrote in a tweet to his 75 million followers.

Ronaldo transferred from soccer team Real Madrid to Italian champions Juventus this summer for 100 million euros. Juventus broke their silence on the situation Wednesday afternoon on Twitter, fully backing Ronaldo.

"Cristiano Ronaldo has shown in recent months his great professionalism and dedication, which is appreciated by everyone at Juventus," the team tweeted.

"The events allegedly dating back to almost 10 years ago do not change this opinion, which is shared by anyone who has come into contact with this great champion," Juventus said.

Sportswear maker Nike Inc and video game maker Electronic Arts Inc (EA) said on Thursday they were concerned about rape allegations against Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the world's best football players.

Sportswear maker Nike Inc and video game maker Electronic Arts Inc (EA) said on Thursday they were concerned about rape allegations against Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the world's best football players. The 33-year-old athlete on Tuesday denied rape allegations levelled against him by a woman who sued him in court in Nevada. "We are deeply concerned by the disturbing allegations and will continue to closely monitor the situation," Nike said in a statement. Nike has worked with Ronaldo since 2003 and in 2016 announced a lifetime deal with him which could be worth as much as $1 billion, according to Forbes magazine. Nike did not respond immediately to a request to confirm the statement. Electronic Arts has featured Ronaldo on the cover of its EA Sports' FIFA series for two years. "We have seen the concerning report that details allegations against Cristiano Ronaldo," an EA spokesperson said in an email to Reuters. "We are closely monitoring the situation, as we expect cover athletes and ambassadors to conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent with EA's values," the company said. Kathryn Mayorga sued Ronaldo in a district court in Clark County, Nevada, alleging he raped her in 2009 in a Las Vegas hotel penthouse suite. The player has said his conscience was clear and that he would await the results of any investigation. "I firmly deny the accusations being issued against me. Rape is an abominable crime that goes against everything that I am and believe in," the world-famous athlete wrote in a tweet to his 75 million followers. Ronaldo transferred from soccer team Real Madrid to Italian champions Juventus this summer for 100 million euros. Juventus broke their silence on the situation Wednesday afternoon on Twitter, fully backing Ronaldo. "Cristiano Ronaldo has shown in recent months his great professionalism and dedication, which is appreciated by everyone at Juventus," the team tweeted. "The events allegedly dating back to almost 10 years ago do not change this opinion, which is shared by anyone who has come into contact with this great champion," Juventus said.

Nike 'concerned' about Ronaldo rape claims

US sportswear giant Nike says it is "deeply concerned" by rape allegations against Cristiano Ronaldo and shares in Italian champions Juventus fell over five percent on the Italian stock exchange on Friday.

Portuguese star Ronaldo is one of the world's top athletes and boasts a number of lucrative sponsorship contracts.

But his relationship with Nike, which is rumoured to be worth $1 billion dollars (869 million euros), could be in jeopardy after police in Las Vegas announced this week they were reopening a rape case after allegations made by a former model, Kathryn Mayorga, relating to an incident in 2009.

"We are deeply concerned by the disturbing allegations and will continue to closely monitor the situation," a Nike spokesman told AFP on Thursday.

According to Forbes magazine, Ronaldo is one of only three athletes to have been given a lifetime deal with Nike, joining an elite club that also includes NBA icons LeBron James and Michael Jordan.

EA Sports, for whom Ronaldo is a leading figure in their phenomenally successful FIFA video game market, also described the allegations as "concerning".

"We are closely monitoring the situation, as we expect cover athletes and ambassadors to conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent with EA's values," the group said in a statement.

Juventus reaction criticised

Ronaldo's move from Real Madrid to Juventus in the summer gave the Italian champions a huge boost, both on and off the field, as they continue their elusive bid for a first Champions League title since 1996. On September 20, shares rose 180 percent to a record level of over 1.80 euros.

But the Italian champions woke up to the sobering news on Friday that over five percent had been wiped off the value of their shares after the Milan stock exchange opened. At midday on Friday they were worth 1.25 euro a share.

Juventus have so far stood behind Ronaldo, but the Italian club's reaction to the issue has angered some fans.

The Portuguese striker "has shown in recent months his great professionalism and dedication, which is appreciated by everyone at Juventus", the club wrote on Twitter Thursday, breaking their silence over the allegations.

"The events allegedly dating back to almost 10 years ago do not change this opinion, which is shared by anyone who has come into contact with this great champion."

Juventus later posted a video on YouTube and Twitter showing Ronaldo working up a sweat as he trained with his teammates for Saturday's league game against Udinese.

"Juventus go for goal. Cristiano Ronaldo finds the target!" read the caption beside the video.

The defending Serie A champions' tweets were widely panned on social media as "shockingly dismissive and insensitive".

"You'd expect a more nuanced and sensitive approach from such a mega organisation," said one tweet.

Ronaldo has vehemently denied the accusations.

"I firmly deny the accusations being issued against me," he tweeted in English on Wednesday.

"Rape is an abominable crime that goes against everything that I am and believe in.

"My clear conscious (sic) will thereby allow me to await with tranquility the results of any and all investigations," he added on his Twitter feed, which has 75 million followers.

Portugal said Thursday Ronaldo will play no part in the country's next four internationals, but he was given backing from Portugal coach Fernando Santos and the president of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), Fernando Gomes.

Asked about the allegations, Santos said. "I know Cristiano Ronaldo very well and I fully believe his word when he says he would never commit a crime like this."

Gomes also spoke up for Ronaldo.

"I believe what he said... because I've known Ronaldo for many years and I can attest to his good character," Gomes said.

Mayorga's attorney Leslie Stovall told reporters his client had suffered years of trauma as a result of the alleged attack and found the courage to speak out thanks to the #MeToo movement against sexual harassment and assault at the hands of powerful men.

Mayorga claims she was pressured into signing a non-disclosure agreement in 2010 to keep the alleged rape secret and is seeking at least $200,000 in penalties and damages.

US sportswear giant Nike says it is "deeply concerned" by rape allegations against Cristiano Ronaldo and shares in Italian champions Juventus fell over five percent on the Italian stock exchange on Friday.

US sportswear giant Nike says it is "deeply concerned" by rape allegations against Cristiano Ronaldo and shares in Italian champions Juventus fell over five percent on the Italian stock exchange on Friday. Portuguese star Ronaldo is one of the world's top athletes and boasts a number of lucrative sponsorship contracts. But his relationship with Nike, which is rumoured to be worth $1 billion dollars (869 million euros), could be in jeopardy after police in Las Vegas announced this week they were reopening a rape case after allegations made by a former model, Kathryn Mayorga, relating to an incident in 2009. "We are deeply concerned by the disturbing allegations and will continue to closely monitor the situation," a Nike spokesman told AFP on Thursday. According to Forbes magazine, Ronaldo is one of only three athletes to have been given a lifetime deal with Nike, joining an elite club that also includes NBA icons LeBron James and Michael Jordan. EA Sports, for whom Ronaldo is a leading figure in their phenomenally successful FIFA video game market, also described the allegations as "concerning". "We are closely monitoring the situation, as we expect cover athletes and ambassadors to conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent with EA's values," the group said in a statement. Juventus reaction criticised Ronaldo's move from Real Madrid to Juventus in the summer gave the Italian champions a huge boost, both on and off the field, as they continue their elusive bid for a first Champions League title since 1996. On September 20, shares rose 180 percent to a record level of over 1.80 euros. But the Italian champions woke up to the sobering news on Friday that over five percent had been wiped off the value of their shares after the Milan stock exchange opened. At midday on Friday they were worth 1.25 euro a share. Juventus have so far stood behind Ronaldo, but the Italian club's reaction to the issue has angered some fans. The Portuguese striker "has shown in recent months his great professionalism and dedication, which is appreciated by everyone at Juventus", the club wrote on Twitter Thursday, breaking their silence over the allegations. "The events allegedly dating back to almost 10 years ago do not change this opinion, which is shared by anyone who has come into contact with this great champion." Juventus later posted a video on YouTube and Twitter showing Ronaldo working up a sweat as he trained with his teammates for Saturday's league game against Udinese. "Juventus go for goal. Cristiano Ronaldo finds the target!" read the caption beside the video. The defending Serie A champions' tweets were widely panned on social media as "shockingly dismissive and insensitive". "You'd expect a more nuanced and sensitive approach from such a mega organisation," said one tweet. Ronaldo has vehemently denied the accusations. "I firmly deny the accusations being issued against me," he tweeted in English on Wednesday. "Rape is an abominable crime that goes against everything that I am and believe in. "My clear conscious (sic) will thereby allow me to await with tranquility the results of any and all investigations," he added on his Twitter feed, which has 75 million followers. Portugal said Thursday Ronaldo will play no part in the country's next four internationals, but he was given backing from Portugal coach Fernando Santos and the president of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), Fernando Gomes. Asked about the allegations, Santos said. "I know Cristiano Ronaldo very well and I fully believe his word when he says he would never commit a crime like this." Gomes also spoke up for Ronaldo. "I believe what he said... because I've known Ronaldo for many years and I can attest to his good character," Gomes said. Mayorga's attorney Leslie Stovall told reporters his client had suffered years of trauma as a result of the alleged attack and found the courage to speak out thanks to the #MeToo movement against sexual harassment and assault at the hands of powerful men. Mayorga claims she was pressured into signing a non-disclosure agreement in 2010 to keep the alleged rape secret and is seeking at least $200,000 in penalties and damages.

Nike 'deeply concerned' and Juventus shares drop amid Ronaldo rape claims

Nike Inc said on Tuesday four senior executives were leaving the company as the sportswear maker continues a far-reaching investigation into workplace harassment.

Nike has seen a slew of senior executives exit, including president of its namesake brand, Trevor Edwards, since the probe was launched in March.

Chief Executive Officer Mark Parker last week apologized to employees in a company-wide town hall for its past work culture and promised to complete the investigation this week.

The latest exits were first reported by the New York Times, which said 10 top executives have now left since the probe started.

Asked to confirm the names of the executives and the reasons for their departure, Nike declined to comment.

Nike did not confirm the names of the executives or the reasons for their departure

Nike Inc said on Tuesday four senior executives were leaving the company as the sportswear maker continues a far-reaching investigation into workplace harassment. Nike has seen a slew of senior executives exit, including president of its namesake brand, Trevor Edwards, since the probe was launched in March. Chief Executive Officer Mark Parker last week apologized to employees in a company-wide town hall for its past work culture and promised to complete the investigation this week. The latest exits were first reported by the New York Times, which said 10 top executives have now left since the probe started. Asked to confirm the names of the executives and the reasons for their departure, Nike declined to comment.

Four more Nike executives exit as harassment inquiry continues

A small step taken by women employees at Nike's headquarters in Beaverton, United States helped them get&nbsp;rid of the misogynist work culture that prevailed in the company.

When things got too difficult to turn around with the male colleagues, females employees at the company got together and decided to conduct a survey among themselves that was submitted to the CEO, Mark Parker, on March 5.

In the survey, female employees were asked if they had ever been a victim of sexual harassment and gender discrimination at the company. The findings jolted the executive rungs of a company that figures as the largest sports footwear and apparel company in the world.

So far, at least 6 top Nike executives have called it quits including Nike brand president Trevor Edwards and Jayme Martin who looked after most of Nike's global business.

At Nike, women employes customarily battled pay inequity, faced sexual harassment, tolerated poor representation and worried about a stunted career.&nbsp;

Many reports described the 'Nike&nbsp;exodus'&nbsp;as a result of "toxic" environment at work&nbsp;that women faced for way too long.

The survey brought to light a series of incidents where women felt harassed and recounted times where the team outings ended at strip clubs, among other incidents.&nbsp;

Earlier this month, Nike's chief human resources officer, Monique Matheson noted that the company is not been able to gain traction in attracting women applicants and those who from the minority groups weeks after "complaints of inappropriate workplace behaviour led to a leadership rejig," Reuters reported.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

So far, at least 6 top Nike executives have called it quits including Nike brand president Trevor Edwards

A small step taken by women employees at Nike's headquarters in Beaverton, United States helped them get rid of the misogynist work culture that prevailed in the company. When things got too difficult to turn around with the male colleagues, females employees at the company got together and decided to conduct a survey among themselves that was submitted to the CEO, Mark Parker, on March 5. In the survey, female employees were asked if they had ever been a victim of sexual harassment and gender discrimination at the company. The findings jolted the executive rungs of a company that figures as the largest sports footwear and apparel company in the world. So far, at least 6 top Nike executives have called it quits including Nike brand president Trevor Edwards and Jayme Martin who looked after most of Nike's global business. At Nike, women employes customarily battled pay inequity, faced sexual harassment, tolerated poor representation and worried about a stunted career. Many reports described the 'Nike exodus' as a result of "toxic" environment at work that women faced for way too long. The survey brought to light a series of incidents where women felt harassed and recounted times where the team outings ended at strip clubs, among other incidents. Earlier this month, Nike's chief human resources officer, Monique Matheson noted that the company is not been able to gain traction in attracting women applicants and those who from the minority groups weeks after "complaints of inappropriate workplace behaviour led to a leadership rejig," Reuters reported.

At Nike, female employees step up against sexual harrassment, top male officers call it quits

The EU pushed on Tuesday for Europe to draw up a blacklist of tax havens after the &quot;Paradise Papers&quot; revealed loopholes used by Apple and Nike as well as celebrities including Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton.

While seeking to minimise taxes is not necessarily illegal, revelations from the 13.4 million leaked documents have already proved embarrassing to figures as diverse as U2 singer Bono and Queen Elizabeth II.

Apple is the latest company to become caught up in the leaks, which show how the technology giant moved tens of billions of dollars from low-tax Ireland to Britain&#39;s Channel Islands when Dublin began tightening its laws in 2015.

But Apple said shifting the funds to the island of Jersey, which is largely exempt from EU tax regulations, did not save it any money.

The leaks, which shed further light on how the global elite manages its money after the Panama Papers and LuxLeaks scandal, were center-stage at Tuesday&#39;s meeting of EU finance ministers in Brussels.

The EU has struggled for more than a year to finalise a list of non-EU tax havens, with smaller, low-tax nations such as Ireland, Malta, and Luxembourg reluctant to scare companies away.

But EU Economic Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici, who is leading the blacklist effort, said he wanted it in place by the end of the year.

&quot;It must be credible and up to the challenge,&quot; he said.

Sources said EU officials have warned about 60 countries that their tax policies may be at risk of blacklisting, demanding further information before November 18.

It is the latest international effort to clamp down on tax avoidance, increasingly seen as a moral issue, following a similar move by the OECD group of wealthy nations to compile a list of &quot;uncooperative tax havens&quot;.

Private jets, Russia ties&nbsp;

In Britain, the BBC and The Guardian reported that Hamilton avoided paying taxes on his private jet using an elaborate scheme now under investigation by tax authorities.

Documents showed that the driver received a &pound;3.3 million ($4.3 million, 3.7 million euros) tax refund in 2013 after his luxury plane was imported into the Isle of Man, a low-tax British dependency.

Hamilton&#39;s representatives could not be reached by AFP for comment.

Another report in French newspaper Le Monde said sportswear giant Nike used a Dutch loophole to reduce its tax rate in Europe to just two percent, compared with a 25 percent average for European companies.

Nike, which says it acted legally, managed to save taxes by using an offshore subsidiary, the report said.

Separately, the documents showed that US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross had a 31 percent stake in shipping firm Navigator Holdings, a partnership with Russian energy giant Sibur.

That company is partially owned by Vladimir Putin&#39;s son-in-law Kirill Shamalov and by Gennady Timchenko, the Russian president&#39;s friend and business partner who is subject to US sanctions.

The cabinet member&#39;s ties to Russian entities raise questions over potential conflicts of interest, and whether they undermine sanctions on Moscow over the war in Ukraine.

Ross has denied any wrongdoing, telling Bloomberg News he had already been planning to sell his stake, while Russian politicians stressed that the deals were legal.

&#39;Ticking time bomb&#39;&nbsp;

Irish singer Bono, meanwhile, an ardent anti-poverty campaigner, said he was &quot;distressed&quot; by documents showing he invested in a Lithuanian shopping centre which may have broken tax rules.

Earlier reports highlighted that about &pound;10 million of the private funds of Britain&#39;s Queen Elizabeth II was placed in the Cayman Islands and Bermuda.

Her estate emphasised that her investments were &quot;fully audited and legitimate&quot;.

Europe&#39;s antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager said the leaks served as additional evidence that the business world needed to be more open.

&quot;We cannot... rely on leaks or investigative work, we need more transparency,&quot; she told a meeting in Lisbon that brought together technology investors and entrepreneurs.

&quot;That&#39;s why we ask that every company reveal the totality of the information concerning its presence in every country,&quot; she added.&nbsp;

The Paradise Papers documents, which are mainly from the offshore law firm Appleby, have been shared with international media via the US-based International Consortium of Investigative Journalists.

Appleby has denounced the release as a &quot;serious criminal act&quot; and stressed that its &quot;overriding objective&quot; is to comply with regulations around the world.

The EU pushed on Tuesday for Europe to draw up a blacklist of tax havens after the 'Paradise Papers' revealed loopholes used by Apple and Nike as well as celebrities including Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton

The EU pushed on Tuesday for Europe to draw up a blacklist of tax havens after the "Paradise Papers" revealed loopholes used by Apple and Nike as well as celebrities including Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton. While seeking to minimise taxes is not necessarily illegal, revelations from the 13.4 million leaked documents have already proved embarrassing to figures as diverse as U2 singer Bono and Queen Elizabeth II. Apple is the latest company to become caught up in the leaks, which show how the technology giant moved tens of billions of dollars from low-tax Ireland to Britain's Channel Islands when Dublin began tightening its laws in 2015. But Apple said shifting the funds to the island of Jersey, which is largely exempt from EU tax regulations, did not save it any money. The leaks, which shed further light on how the global elite manages its money after the Panama Papers and LuxLeaks scandal, were center-stage at Tuesday's meeting of EU finance ministers in Brussels. The EU has struggled for more than a year to finalise a list of non-EU tax havens, with smaller, low-tax nations such as Ireland, Malta, and Luxembourg reluctant to scare companies away. But EU Economic Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici, who is leading the blacklist effort, said he wanted it in place by the end of the year. "It must be credible and up to the challenge," he said. Sources said EU officials have warned about 60 countries that their tax policies may be at risk of blacklisting, demanding further information before November 18. It is the latest international effort to clamp down on tax avoidance, increasingly seen as a moral issue, following a similar move by the OECD group of wealthy nations to compile a list of "uncooperative tax havens". Private jets, Russia ties In Britain, the BBC and The Guardian reported that Hamilton avoided paying taxes on his private jet using an elaborate scheme now under investigation by tax authorities. Documents showed that the driver received a £3.3 million ($4.3 million, 3.7 million euros) tax refund in 2013 after his luxury plane was imported into the Isle of Man, a low-tax British dependency. Hamilton's representatives could not be reached by AFP for comment. Another report in French newspaper Le Monde said sportswear giant Nike used a Dutch loophole to reduce its tax rate in Europe to just two percent, compared with a 25 percent average for European companies. Nike, which says it acted legally, managed to save taxes by using an offshore subsidiary, the report said. Separately, the documents showed that US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross had a 31 percent stake in shipping firm Navigator Holdings, a partnership with Russian energy giant Sibur. That company is partially owned by Vladimir Putin's son-in-law Kirill Shamalov and by Gennady Timchenko, the Russian president's friend and business partner who is subject to US sanctions. The cabinet member's ties to Russian entities raise questions over potential conflicts of interest, and whether they undermine sanctions on Moscow over the war in Ukraine. Ross has denied any wrongdoing, telling Bloomberg News he had already been planning to sell his stake, while Russian politicians stressed that the deals were legal. 'Ticking time bomb' Irish singer Bono, meanwhile, an ardent anti-poverty campaigner, said he was "distressed" by documents showing he invested in a Lithuanian shopping centre which may have broken tax rules. Earlier reports highlighted that about £10 million of the private funds of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II was placed in the Cayman Islands and Bermuda. Her estate emphasised that her investments were "fully audited and legitimate". Europe's antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager said the leaks served as additional evidence that the business world needed to be more open. "We cannot... rely on leaks or investigative work, we need more transparency," she told a meeting in Lisbon that brought together technology investors and entrepreneurs. "That's why we ask that every company reveal the totality of the information concerning its presence in every country," she added. The Paradise Papers documents, which are mainly from the offshore law firm Appleby, have been shared with international media via the US-based International Consortium of Investigative Journalists. Appleby has denounced the release as a "serious criminal act" and stressed that its "overriding objective" is to comply with regulations around the world.

EU pushes for tax blacklist after Paradise Papers leak

Nike&#39;s pilot programme to sell certain products on Amazon and Instagram is a precursor to it forging a deeper relationship with online retailers and could hit sales at sporting goods retailers such as Foot Locker.&nbsp;

The deal is expected to help Nike weed out counterfeit products sold through unlicensed dealers online and give it more control over its distribution. It lifted the company&#39;s shares to more than three-month high on Friday.

Nike&#39;s move confirmed a June 21 report from Goldman Sachs that said the company would launch its products on the world&#39;s largest online retailer.

Since then shares of sporting goods retailer have fallen, Foot Locker by nearly 2 per cent, Hibbett Sports by 6.8 per cent and Big 5 Sporting Goods by 5.3 per cent.

&quot;They&#39;re all scrambling right now,&quot; Judge Graham, chief marketing officer of market research firm Ansira said. &quot;The decision of Nike considering to sell directly to the consumer and that too with Amazon, they&#39;re all getting nervous.&quot;

Sporting goods retailers, which rely on Nike for a substantial part of their wholesale revenue, would be hit further in case Nike&#39;s partnership with Amazon expands beyond the current pilot programme.

The sporting goods market is already in deep trouble, with several retailers such as Sports Authority already filing for bankruptcy, and Nike&#39;s deal could push existing retailers to shut more stores.

Nike, whose products are already sold on Amazon through third-party and unlicensed dealers, could build an additional $300 million to $500 million of revenue in the United States or 1 per cent of its global sales through its expansion as a dealer on Amazon, Goldman Sachs said in a client note.

But Nike still depends on the wholesale channel for two-thirds of its revenue and will be cautious about making any drastic shift to selling directly on Amazon, said John Zolidis, analyst at Quo Vadis Capital.

To strike a balance, Nike may unload more of its non-premium products on Amazon, while it will still launch exclusive deals with its brick-and-mortar partners, analysts said.

&quot;The limited-edition market is store-driven,&quot; said Maya Mikhailov, co-founder of mobile retail app developer GPShopper. &quot;What makes limited edition so exciting is finding out about the deals that stores have through their apps ... going to the store, and the consumer being a part of that whole in-store experience.&quot;

Nike's pilot programme is a precursor to forging a deeper relationship with online retailers

Nike's pilot programme to sell certain products on Amazon and Instagram is a precursor to it forging a deeper relationship with online retailers and could hit sales at sporting goods retailers such as Foot Locker. The deal is expected to help Nike weed out counterfeit products sold through unlicensed dealers online and give it more control over its distribution. It lifted the company's shares to more than three-month high on Friday. Nike's move confirmed a June 21 report from Goldman Sachs that said the company would launch its products on the world's largest online retailer. Since then shares of sporting goods retailer have fallen, Foot Locker by nearly 2 per cent, Hibbett Sports by 6.8 per cent and Big 5 Sporting Goods by 5.3 per cent. "They're all scrambling right now," Judge Graham, chief marketing officer of market research firm Ansira said. "The decision of Nike considering to sell directly to the consumer and that too with Amazon, they're all getting nervous." Sporting goods retailers, which rely on Nike for a substantial part of their wholesale revenue, would be hit further in case Nike's partnership with Amazon expands beyond the current pilot programme. The sporting goods market is already in deep trouble, with several retailers such as Sports Authority already filing for bankruptcy, and Nike's deal could push existing retailers to shut more stores. Nike, whose products are already sold on Amazon through third-party and unlicensed dealers, could build an additional $300 million to $500 million of revenue in the United States or 1 per cent of its global sales through its expansion as a dealer on Amazon, Goldman Sachs said in a client note. But Nike still depends on the wholesale channel for two-thirds of its revenue and will be cautious about making any drastic shift to selling directly on Amazon, said John Zolidis, analyst at Quo Vadis Capital. To strike a balance, Nike may unload more of its non-premium products on Amazon, while it will still launch exclusive deals with its brick-and-mortar partners, analysts said. "The limited-edition market is store-driven," said Maya Mikhailov, co-founder of mobile retail app developer GPShopper. "What makes limited edition so exciting is finding out about the deals that stores have through their apps ... going to the store, and the consumer being a part of that whole in-store experience."

Nike-Amazon deal may hurt sporting goods retailers

Former Barcelona president Sandro Rosell was arrested on Tuesday in a money laundering operation related to image rights in the Brazilian national football team, a police spokesman told AFP.

The operation was mainly carried out in the north-eastern region of Catalonia and for the moment &quot;there are four or five detainees, including the former president of Bar&ccedil;a, Sandro Rosell, and his wife,&quot; the police spokesman said.

The investigation focuses on &quot;money laundering in companies linked to the image rights of the Brazilian football team&quot;, police added.

Businessman Rosell, 53, was manager of sporting goods giants Nike in Brazil and oversaw the contract for the national team to wear the US brand, before taking over as president of Barcelona in 2010.

Rosell resigned as Barcelona president in 2014 after being charged over alleged tax fraud relating to the club&#39;s signing of Brazil striker Neymar from Santos. He was later cleared of all charges in connection with the case following an agreement with prosecutors.

Rosell will nevertheless be tried for fraud and corruption relating to a parallel complaint filed by Brazilian investment company DIS, which owned 40 per cent of Neymar&#39;s sporting rights at the time of his transfer.

DIS claim it was cheated out of its real share because part of the transfer fee was concealed by Barcelona, Santos and the Neymar family.

(AFP)

Sandro Rosell oversaw murky image rights deals of the Brazilian football team when he was the manager of Nike in the South American nation

Former Barcelona president Sandro Rosell was arrested on Tuesday in a money laundering operation related to image rights in the Brazilian national football team, a police spokesman told AFP. The operation was mainly carried out in the north-eastern region of Catalonia and for the moment "there are four or five detainees, including the former president of Barça, Sandro Rosell, and his wife," the police spokesman said. The investigation focuses on "money laundering in companies linked to the image rights of the Brazilian football team", police added. Businessman Rosell, 53, was manager of sporting goods giants Nike in Brazil and oversaw the contract for the national team to wear the US brand, before taking over as president of Barcelona in 2010. Rosell resigned as Barcelona president in 2014 after being charged over alleged tax fraud relating to the club's signing of Brazil striker Neymar from Santos. He was later cleared of all charges in connection with the case following an agreement with prosecutors. Rosell will nevertheless be tried for fraud and corruption relating to a parallel complaint filed by Brazilian investment company DIS, which owned 40 per cent of Neymar's sporting rights at the time of his transfer. DIS claim it was cheated out of its real share because part of the transfer fee was concealed by Barcelona, Santos and the Neymar family. (AFP)

Former Barcelona president arrested over money laundering charges

Nike will launch a hijab for female Muslim athletes early next year, becoming the first major sports apparel maker to offer a traditional Islamic head scarf designed specifically for competition, the company said on Wednesday.

The head covering, marketed under the &quot;Pro Hijab&quot; brand, is designed to allow athletes to observe the traditional Islamic practice of covering the head without compromising performance.

Made from a lightweight, flexible material, the hijab is expected to hit stores shelves in early 2018, Nike said in a statement.

In recent years, the hijab has become the most visible symbol of Islamic culture in the United States and Europe. Many Muslim women cover their heads in public with the hijab as a sign of modesty, but some critics see it as a sign of female oppression.

With sensitivities over immigration and the perceived threat of Muslim extremism running high, the head scarf has led to attacks against Muslim women. At the same time, the hijab has evolved in a symbol of diversity that Nike has embraced.

The Women&#39;s March on Washington, held the day after President Donald&nbsp;Trump&#39;s inauguration, used the face of a woman wearing a hijab in an American flag pattern as its promotional image.

Muslim athletes visiting Nike&#39;s headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon, just outside of Portland, have complained about the difficulties of wearing a hijab while competing, according to the company.

The company consulted with Muslim women athletes from around the world, including Middle Eastern runners and cyclists, in the designing the hijab.

Other companies have also set their sights on hijab sales to Muslim athletes.

Last year, Danish sportswear company Hummel unveiled a soccer jersey with an attached hijab for the Afghanistan national women&#39;s soccer team.

Non-professional women Muslim athletes have used athletic hijabs made by smaller companies.

But Nike&#39;s annual net sales in the billions, and its reach in popular culture, can do more to bring Muslim athletes into the fold, said Amna Al Haddad, a Nike sponsored weightlifter from the United Arab Emirates who consulted on &quot;Pro Hijab.&quot;

&quot;(It will) encourage a whole new generation to pursue sports without feeling there is a limitation because of modesty or dress-code,&quot; Haddad said.

(Reuters)

Made from a lightweight, flexible material, the hijab is expected to hit stores shelves in early 2018, Nike said in a statement.

Nike will launch a hijab for female Muslim athletes early next year, becoming the first major sports apparel maker to offer a traditional Islamic head scarf designed specifically for competition, the company said on Wednesday. The head covering, marketed under the "Pro Hijab" brand, is designed to allow athletes to observe the traditional Islamic practice of covering the head without compromising performance. Made from a lightweight, flexible material, the hijab is expected to hit stores shelves in early 2018, Nike said in a statement. In recent years, the hijab has become the most visible symbol of Islamic culture in the United States and Europe. Many Muslim women cover their heads in public with the hijab as a sign of modesty, but some critics see it as a sign of female oppression. With sensitivities over immigration and the perceived threat of Muslim extremism running high, the head scarf has led to attacks against Muslim women. At the same time, the hijab has evolved in a symbol of diversity that Nike has embraced. The Women's March on Washington, held the day after President Donald Trump's inauguration, used the face of a woman wearing a hijab in an American flag pattern as its promotional image. Muslim athletes visiting Nike's headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon, just outside of Portland, have complained about the difficulties of wearing a hijab while competing, according to the company. The company consulted with Muslim women athletes from around the world, including Middle Eastern runners and cyclists, in the designing the hijab. Other companies have also set their sights on hijab sales to Muslim athletes. Last year, Danish sportswear company Hummel unveiled a soccer jersey with an attached hijab for the Afghanistan national women's soccer team. Non-professional women Muslim athletes have used athletic hijabs made by smaller companies. But Nike's annual net sales in the billions, and its reach in popular culture, can do more to bring Muslim athletes into the fold, said Amna Al Haddad, a Nike sponsored weightlifter from the United Arab Emirates who consulted on "Pro Hijab." "(It will) encourage a whole new generation to pursue sports without feeling there is a limitation because of modesty or dress-code," Haddad said. (Reuters)

Nike to launch hijab for female Muslim athletes

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