Cristiano Ronaldo wins apology from the Sun
Sport
Apology | 19 June 2008
The High Court today heard that the Sun newspaper has agreed to apologise to the footballer Cristiano Ronaldo after an article in the Sun in February 2008 wrongly claimed that he had broken Club rules by taking his mobile telephone onto the training pitch and sending four text messages during a single training session, which caused Sir Alex Ferguson to be furious and to fine him a bumper £8,000.
Mr Ronaldo’s solicitor told Mr Justice Eady that the Sun’s article had wrongly implied wholly unprofessional and arrogant behaviour on the part of Mr Ronaldo and that the Sun had made an Offer of Amends and agreed to settle the claim on the basis of an apology, payment of costs and an undisclosed amount of damages which Mr Ronaldo has donated to his chosen charity based in Madeira, Portugal.
After the hearing, Mr Ronaldo issued the following statement through his representatives:
“I felt it necessary to bring this action in order to protect my reputation as a professional footballer. Contrary to the impression the article gave, I take training very seriously and do not want people to think I do not try my best in training. I’m glad something good has come out of this and that a charity I care about will receive the damages.”