Brazil football chief defends Nike sponsorship

The president of Brazil's Football Confederation, Ricardo Teixeira, has appeared before the congressional panel investigating the controversial sponsorship deal struck with the American sportswear manufacturer, Nike.

Mr Teixeira said he thought the deal, worth a-hundred-and-sixty million dollars over ten years, was good for Brazilian football.

The investigation began after allegations Nike may have tried to influence the line-up during crucial games, including Brazil's disastrous performance against France in the World Cup final in 1998. A separate congressional inquiry is under way into alleged tax evasion by some of Brazil's highest-paid players, with that panel voting to open the bank accounts of Mr Teixeira and a number of leading Brazilian clubs.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service