Nike cancels introduction of new Brazilian football uniform after protests

Sportswear manufacturer Nike has decided to cancel the presentation of the new uniform for the Brazilian football team amid fears of protests against the government of President Dilma Rousseff, according to the organisers.

Instead of hosting the standard event with fans and media in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday, the company introduced the new uniform online as a "preventative" measure to avoid marring the introduction of the new jerseys with political protests, according to a spokesman for the event organisers, reports Efe.

Demonstrations took place in Brazilian cities nationwide on Wednesday and Thursday as people rallied against Rousseff's decision to appoint former head of state Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as her chief of staff, a move the opposition considers an attempt to obstruct the judicial process, as he faces graft allegations.

The jersey of the Brazilian football team has also become a very common garment in demonstrations against the government, since the Brazilians often turn up to marches dressed in yellow or green, colors of the national flag.

The jersey introduced online on Thursday will be used by Brazil in the 2018 World Cup qualification and the Copa America Centenario in the United States next June.