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Pacquiao dropped by Nike

February 17, 2016

The sporting goods giant has cut ties with the boxing superstar after he made remarks against homosexual couples. Manny Pacquiao has apologized for what he said during a TV interview in the Philippines.

https://p.dw.com/p/1Hx5R
Manny Pacquiao lands a punch against Floyd Mayweather
Image: Reuters

Barely one day after suggesting homosexual couples were "worse than animals" during a TV interview, Nike has ended their relationship with world famous boxer Manny Pacquiao.

"We find Manny Pacquiao's comments abhorrent," Nike's statement read. "Nike strongly opposes discrimination of any kind and has a long history of supporting and standing up for the rights of the LGBT community. We no longer have a relationship with Manny Pacquiao."

Manny Pacquiao made the comments on a TV station in his home country of the Philippines. The eight-time boxing world champion is a devout Christian, and initially defended his comments on Instagram before making a Facebook post asking for forgiveness from "those I've hurt."

"I'm sorry for hurting people by comparing homosexuals to animals. Please forgive me for those I've hurt. I still stand on my belief that I'm against same-sex marriage because of what the Bible says, but I'm not condemning LGBT. I love you all with the love of the Lord. God bess you all and I'm praying for you," said Pacquiao on his Facebook page, along with a video of his apology.

In the Philippines, where Pacquiao has served as a member of the House of Representatives since 2010, outlaws gay marriage. And it is not likely that this law will be changed due to the overwhelming support of the Catholic Church in the country, which does not support gay marriage.

kd/apc (AFP)