Express Newspapers was in the High Court dock this week accused of contempt in relation to reporting of allegations of rape against Premiership soccer stars Titus Bramble and Carlton Cole.
The two were among four men questioned over rape allegations by a 17year-old girl. No charges were brought.
The High Court heard this week that during police investigations there was intense media interest and coverage.
Lord Justice Rose and Mr Justice Pitchford were told on Wednesday, at the start of a two-day hearing, of a series of requests from the Attorney General and police for restraint in coverage.
But Philip Havers, for the Attorney General, told the court that Bramble and Cole were named in the Daily Star and that a partially pixelated photograph of Bramble was used.
It is this piece which the Attorney General complains of. Havers told the court that identification was regarded by police as a key issue in the case and it was feared that any naming of the men or use of photographs before the girl had carried out identification would be prejudicial to justice.
The committal proceedings were originally brought against the paper and its editor at the time, but moves against the editor have been dropped.
The hearing continues.
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