Manchester United star accepts apology and libel damages over Sun story
Manchester United and Portugal star Christiano Ronaldo accepted undisclosed damages in the High Court yesterday over a newspaper claim that he was fined £8,000 by Sir Alex Ferguson for using his mobile phone four times during a training session.
An article published in The Sun in February accused the footballer of breaking “club rules by taking his mobile telephone onto the training pitch and sending four text messages during a single training session, which caused Sir Alex Ferguson, his manager, to be furious and to fine him a bumper £8,000”. The story, which was also repeated on The Sun’s website was picked up and re-published on websites and in newspapers across the world.
News Group Newspapers accepted the story was untrue and made an offer of amends. A statement in open court was read before Eady J yesterday.
5RB‘s Adam Speker (instructed by Schillings) advised Ronaldo.
Links
- Cristiano Ronaldo: An apology – Sun
- Ronaldo wins penalty for Sun slur – Manchester Evening News