Nike backlash

EXCLUSIVE NIKE'S high-profile campaign against racism in football was facing a crisis today after action groups across Europe said they did not want money from the American company.

The StandupSpeakup campaign, backed by Arsenal's Thierry Henry and England defender Rio Ferdinand, is being viewed with suspicion by anti-racism groups who are questioning Nike's motives.

Their reluctance raises the prospect of millions of pounds raised from the sale of Nike's popular black and white wristbands lying unspent.

Spanish antiracism football campaigner Carlos Ferreyra Nunez said: "We could desperately use funds to run a countrywide campaign and Nike's money is very tempting. But we have serious concerns over whether antiracism campaigners should take money from such a large, multinational."

Nike's wristbands have become a chic fashion accessory and could generate as much as Pounds 4million for the fight against racists. But a spokesman for Progetto Ultra, the main Italian football antiracism group, said: "It is not right for groups like us to take funding from multinationals."

Nike defends its motives and says it wants to leave a genuine legacy for the long-term fight against racism within football.

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