Ronaldo accepts phone claim damages

Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has accepted undisclosed damages over claims he was fined for using his mobile phone during training.

The Premier League star's solicitor Simon Smith told Mr Justice Eady at the High Court in London that the action arose out of an article published in The Sun in February.

Mr Smith said the article implied "wholly unprofessional and arrogant behaviour" on the part of the Manchester United player.

He said the story, which was also published online, wrongly claimed that Ronaldo "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, his manager, to be furious and to fine him a bumper £8,000".

The lawyer added: "The allegation was widely republished throughout the world. Both the claimant and Sir Alex Ferguson have confirmed that the alleged incident never happened."

He said the defendant - Sun publisher News Group Newspapers - had made an "offer of amends" under the Defamation Act "and has agreed a settlement of the claim on the basis of publication of an apology, payment of costs, and an undisclosed sum of damages".

Ronaldo, who has donated the sum to a charity in Madeira, Portugal, said in a statement after the brief hearing: "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."

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