Chelsea footballer Michael Essien has kicked off a legal battle with Mirror Group Newspapers over two stories published in The People.
Essien, 26, claims a story headed: “Chelse Cheat Michael Essien: I’ll Stand by my Love Child” in May was defamatory. He is also suing over a second story headed: “Sex cheat Essien gets boot”.
The Ghanian player is seeking an injunction banning repetition of the allegations at the centre of his claim.
He has instructed solicitor John Kelly of legal firm Schillings to claim damages of up to £100,000.
His case has been assigned to procedural judge Master Leslie who will hear initial stages of his claim and decide how the legal action should go ahead.
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