Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has won a public apology and undisclosed libel damages from Sport Magazine over allegations that had been engaged in secret talks with Real Madrid.
Libel judge, Justice David Eady, was told today that the 2 February issue of the magazine carried a story headed ‘Is Gerrard Moving to Real Madrid: World Exclusive.”
His solicitor, Gerrard Tyrrell, told the court that the article was accompanied by a photograph of Gerrard and Real Madrid president, Ramon Calderon and was accompanied by a four page fax from the Park Lane Marriott Hotel claimed to be confirmation of a hotel reservation in London for Gerrard.
Tyrrell said it continued: ‘Sport Magazine might not be the sharpest tool in the box, but even we can join the dots on this one.”
Tyrrell, who said the article had caused Gerrard and his family ‘considerable embarrassment and distress’had ‘not been involved in breach of FA rules in secret talks with Real Madrid or indeed any other football club relating to a possible move.”
‘He is more than happy at Liverpool to whom he is contracted,’said Tyrrell.
He said that the magazine publishers now accepted that the allegations were completely false, should never have been published by them, apologised and had agreed to pay Gerrard undisclosed damages along with his legal costs.
Solicitor Laura Balfour for the magazine publishers, Sport Media & Strategy Ltd told the judge they accepted what Mr Tyrell had said, that they apologised, and continued : ‘The Defendant acknowledges that the allegations are entirely untrue.”
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