(From BBC)
The Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova was handed the ban on Wednesday after testing positive for the prohibited drug meldonium earlier this year. The sports firm, Nike, the racket manufacturer, Head, and bottled water company, Evian have all said they will stand by her.
Car manufacturer, Porsche said it will wait to see the outcome of her appeal. The Swiss watchmaker, Tag Heuer cut ties with her in March but said it did not rule out working with her in the future.
Cosmetic brand Avon is severing all ties with Sharapova, but insisted it had nothing to do with the ban, saying it was a “limited engagement”. Read more