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Cristiano Ronaldo accepts Daily Telegraph libel payout | Cristiano Ronaldo accepts Daily Telegraph libel payout |
(40 minutes later) | |
Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has accepted substantial undisclosed libel damages from the Daily Telegraph at London's High Court. | Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has accepted substantial undisclosed libel damages from the Daily Telegraph at London's High Court. |
It claimed in July 2008 that he put an injured ankle at risk by "living it up" at a Hollywood nightclub while a Manchester United player. | |
The report that he put down crutches to dance with four models caused offence and embarrassment, the court heard. | |
The paper has accepted the allegations were false and apologised. | The paper has accepted the allegations were false and apologised. |
In a statement, Ronaldo said he was "delighted" with the outcome. | |
"I take enormous pride in my professionalism. I treat my training and recovery from injury very seriously and would never have drunk and danced in a nightclub without my crutches," he said. | |
Champagne claim | |
Ronaldo's solicitor Allan Dunlavy said the story appeared alongside a photo of the star on crutches in Los Angeles, where he had been nominated as best male international athlete at a sports ceremony. | |
The newspaper reported that on arrival, Ronaldo "headed straight for" a trendy nightclub and danced with the models before being served "£10,000 worth of Cristal champagne". | The newspaper reported that on arrival, Ronaldo "headed straight for" a trendy nightclub and danced with the models before being served "£10,000 worth of Cristal champagne". |
It had suggested the events would dismay his then manager at Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson. | It had suggested the events would dismay his then manager at Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson. |
However, Mr Dunlavy told Mrs Justice Sharp that Sir Alex and the club's medical staff had been fully aware that the Portugal international was in Los Angeles on holiday. | |
"While he [Ronaldo] did attend the nightclub in question, he did not drink any alcohol at all whilst there, nor at any time whilst in Los Angeles. He does not, as a rule, drink alcohol because he takes his health, fitness and recovery from injury very seriously." | "While he [Ronaldo] did attend the nightclub in question, he did not drink any alcohol at all whilst there, nor at any time whilst in Los Angeles. He does not, as a rule, drink alcohol because he takes his health, fitness and recovery from injury very seriously." |
Mr Dunlavy added that his client had not put down his crutches but had occupied a private corner of the club with friends, while drinking "non-alcoholic energy drinks". | Mr Dunlavy added that his client had not put down his crutches but had occupied a private corner of the club with friends, while drinking "non-alcoholic energy drinks". |
'Consummate professional' | |
Sir Alex, who said in a statement he had been prepared to appear as a witness to support Ronaldo, described his former star as "the consummate professional". | |
The newspaper's solicitor, Helen Morris, said it accepted the allegations were false and ought never to have been published. | The newspaper's solicitor, Helen Morris, said it accepted the allegations were false and ought never to have been published. |
"It is therefore happy to set the record straight and to apologise to the claimant." | "It is therefore happy to set the record straight and to apologise to the claimant." |
It is not the first time Ronaldo has successfully pursued a libel case. | It is not the first time Ronaldo has successfully pursued a libel case. |
In 2008 he accepted undisclosed damages from the Sun, which had claimed he had been fined £8,000 for breaking United's club rules by using a mobile phone during training. On that occasion, he donated the damages to a charity on his home island of Madeira. | In 2008 he accepted undisclosed damages from the Sun, which had claimed he had been fined £8,000 for breaking United's club rules by using a mobile phone during training. On that occasion, he donated the damages to a charity on his home island of Madeira. |