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Ronaldo settles libel case with British newspaper
Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo settled his libel case on Monday against a British newspaper that claimed he was putting his recovery from an ankle injury at risk by partying in a Hollywood nightclub.
Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo settled his libel case on Monday against a British newspaper that claimed he was putting his recovery from an ankle injury at risk by partying in a Hollywood nightclub.
Ronaldo's attorney, Allan Dunlavy, told London's High Court that the Daily Telegraph story in July 2008 caused embarrassment, offense and distress to the player, who was then playing for Manchester United.
Ronaldo, who moved to Real Madrid the following year, was not in court.
It was not clear how much Ronaldo received in the settlement, but Dunlavy said the newspaper has apologized and will pay substantial damages and the legal costs.
The newspaper accepted it was wrong to claim that on arrival in Los Angeles, Ronaldo went to a trendy nightclub where he put his crutches down and moved to the dance floor with four women before being served champagne.
"I am delighted with this outcome," Ronaldo said in a statement. "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 as the Daily Telegraph falsely claimed.
"I felt I had no choice but to begin and pursue these legal proceedings."
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson said in a statement that Ronaldo is "the consummate professional and he takes his health and fitness very seriously."
