Nike hit back in racism kit row

American sportswear giant Nike today defended its anti-racism campaign after England defender Gary Neville accused the company of cheapening football's battle against the racists.

Neville sparked a major new row by criticising Nike's Stand Up Speak Up campaign, launched last month by Manchester United team-mate Rio Ferdinand and Arsenal striker Thierry Henry.

On a historic night for the campaign against racism in the game, Nike made special black and white shirts for Holland to wear in last night's 0-0 draw with England.

Sven-Goran Eriksson's team wore red shirts with "say no to racism" on the front and players are being urged to show their support by wearing wrist-bands during matches.

But Neville risked a confrontation with United's kit suppliers Nike, which has a £300million 10-year deal with the club, by suggesting it was trying to get free publicity.

Simon Charlsworth, from Nike, said today: "The comments Gary Neville made are unfortunate. He is entitled to his opinion but there's no commercial gain in this for us at all.