O'Neill wins libel damages
ByReuters
Published 04/05/2004 at 11:29 GMT
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill won "substantial" libel damages on Tuesday for the "great distress" he suffered over media claims he planned to quit and take over the reins at Liverpool. O'Neill was awarded an undisclosed sum and given a public apology from
Eurosport
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O'Neill was awarded an undisclosed sum and a public apology from the Scottish Daily Record over the newspaper's reports in February 2003 that O'Neill planned to leave Celtic to replace Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier.
O'Neill's solicitor told London's High Court the allegations which "questioned his loyalty and commitment to Celtic" caused the manager "great distress and anxiety".
Solicitor Paul Hackney said the report, which was "without foundation" followed media speculation about whether O'Neill was to leave Celtic.
He said O'Neill denied the rumours in January 2003 and also announced his agreement of a new contract with Celtic.
But the Daily Record had published a story a month later reporting that he "had signed a legal document to join Liverpool."
"It was further alleged that the agreement with Liverpool was concluded before the claimant announced the agreement of his new contract with Celtic," Hackney said.
The story was widely reported and forced O'Neill to issue numerous denials in the following weeks, Hackney added.
The Daily Record's solicitor, Patrick Swaffer, told the court the newspaper acknowledged O'Neill's complaints and apologised to the manager and his family.
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