Footballer Michael Essien has accepted “substantial damages” from The People after settling his libel action out-of-court over claims he cheated on his long-term partner.
The Chelsea player sued Mirror Group Newspapers, publisher of the People, over “untrue and grossly defamatory” allegations in two articles published in Sunday redtop in May 2008 and May this year.
His legal firm, Schillings, said the articles claimed Essien cheated on girlfriend Nadia Buari by having numerous affairs behind her back, including one in which he fathered a child, and that she then called off their wedding.
Solicitor John Kelly said the newspaper had apologised and paid Essien substantial damages and his costs.
He said: “There has been a lot of inaccurate reporting concerning Michael and he was not prepared to allow this misreporting to continue.”
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