Dubai’s Emirates airline confirmed on Thursday it would sponsor the shirts of Qatar-owned Paris Saint-Germain until 2019, despite a regional crisis which has seen the UAE cut ties with Doha.

The announcement comes less than a week after Brazilian football phenomenon Neymar transferred from Barcelona to the French club for a world record €222 million, paid for by Qatar.

“Emirates has a sponsorship contract with the French football club PSG until 2019. So far the club has fulfilled its full obligations and we see no reason to terminate the contract,” a spokesman for the airline told AFP.

On June 5, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain cut all ties with Qatar over allegations the Gulf emirate bankrolled Islamist extremists and was too close to Shiite Iran, Saudi Arabia’s regional archrival.

Qatar has denied the allegations despite  the crisis, the Emirates will continue to sponsor the Paris team until 2019.

Analysts have said the transfer of Neymar may aim to divert public attention away from the political crisis engulfing Qatar.

PSG players have worn jerseys sponsored by Emirates, which is owned by the Dubai government, since 2006.

The Airline has partnerships with AC Milan, Real Madrid and Arsenal.