Thursday 9 June 2016 09:55, UK
Nike has lifted its suspension of Maria Sharapova, who plans to appeal the two-year ban from tennis handed to her on Wednesday for failing a doping test.
Sharapova's endorsement deal with the American sportswear giant was placed on hold in March when it was confirmed she had tested positive for banned substance meldonium.
However, Nike has said it will back the Russian, stating: "Based on the decision of the ITF and their factual findings, we hope to see Maria back on court and will continue to partner with her."
Sharapova admitted to making a mistake in carrying on taking meldonium after it was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency banned list on January 1, 2016.
Her two-year sanction was confirmed by the ITF on Wednesday, but its statement said she had not intentionally violated doping rules.
The 29-year-old will appeal the severity of the punishment at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
A statement from Nike read: "The ITF tribunal has found that Maria did not intentionally break its rules.
"Maria has always made her position clear, has apologised for her mistake and is now appealing the length of the ban.
"Based on the decision of the ITF and their factual findings, we hope to see Maria back on court and will continue to partner with her."
Sharapova's statement read: "Today with their decision of a two year suspension, the ITF tribunal unanimously concluded that what I did was not intentional.
"The tribunal found that I did not seek treatment from my doctor for the purpose of obtaining a performance enhancing substance. The ITF spent tremendous amounts of time and resources trying to prove I intentionally violated the anti-doping rules and the tribunal concluded I did not.
"While the tribunal concluded correctly that I did not intentionally violate the anti-doping rules, I cannot accept an unfairly harsh two-year suspension.
"The tribunal, whose members were selected by the ITF, agreed that I did not do anything intentionally wrong, yet they seek to keep me from playing tennis for two years. I will immediately appeal the suspension portion of this ruling to CAS, the Court of Arbitration for Sport."
Nike has previously restored sponsorship deals with athletes following doping bans, most notably in March 2015 when they re-signed sprinter Justin Gatlin, who previously served a four-year suspension.
