Adidas can terminate sponsorship deals of any Scientologist athletes

Adidas’ sponsorship deals with athletes can be terminated if they decide to become a member of controversial religious group the Church of Scientology.

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The clause was first revealed in the contract of an unnamed Bayern Munich player.

The clause is a standard part of its endorsement deals with the sportswear maker claiming the values of the church along with other prohibited groups are in stark contract to its own.

In a statement it said: “Diversity and tolerance are among the Adidas Group’s core values. Scientology as well as other unconstitutional organisations and federations cannot be reconciled with these values.

“This clause is part of our standard text in contracts, either in this or a similar form. This is not about individual athletes.”

The condition was first brought to light after German daily Der Spiegel revealed the details of an unnamed Bayern Munich player’s sponsorship deal with Adidas.

Scientology, which was founded in the 50s by pulp fiction author Lafayette Ron Hubbard, has come under repeated fire from the media following accusations it brainwashes members and its hostile attitude towards skeptics. The criticisms have stretched to high profile Scientologists such as Tom Cruise, Issac Hayes and John Travolta who have been derided for following the church.

The Church of Scientology was unable to provide a response by the time this article was published.

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