Mirror Group admits footballer was not 'on the lash' in LA and settles claim
Cristiano Ronaldo, the 2008 FIFA World Player of the Year and former Manchester United star, today accepted substantial damages and an apology from the publishers of The Mirror in respect of an article in July 2008 alleging that he had been out on a ‘drunken bender’ in LA whilst recovering from an ankle operation.
The trial, which was due to start today, was vacated after the action was settled at the end of last week. In a statement in open court read this afternoon, the court was told that front page allegations that Ronaldo had consumed copious amounts of red wine, vodka and champagne at a steak restaurant and a Hollywood nightclub before ending his evening by chucking his crutches on the ground and trying to dance, were untrue. The Court heard that the Real Madrid star had not been acting as alleged and does not drink alcohol because he takes his health, fitness and recovery from injury very seriously.
MGN agreed to pay substantial damages and accepted that the allegations were untrue and should never have been published. It apologised to Ronaldo for the distress, embarassment and offence caused by the article.
5RB‘s Adam Speker was junior counsel for Cristiano Ronaldo, instructed by Schillings.
To see the full statement read in open court, click on the pdf icon below.