Coleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy have given their reactions to the ruling in the so-called 'Wagatha Christie' libel action, taken unsuccessfully by Vardy against her fellow footballer's wife.
Rooney, 36, said she had carried out a "sting operation" and accused Vardy, 40, of leaking "false stories" about her private life to the press.
The wife of former England star Wayne Rooney publicly claimed Vardy's account was the source behind three fake stories she had posted on her private Instagram account.
Vardy, who is married to Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy, denied leaking the stories and sued Rooney for libel. Rooney defended the claim on the basis her post was "substantially true".
In a statement after the ruling, Rooney said: "Naturally, I am pleased that the judge has found in my favour with her judgment today.
"It was not a case I ever sought or wanted. I never believed it should have gone to court at such expense in times of hardship for so many people when the money could have been far better spent helping others.
"Both before and after my social media posts in October 2019, I made every effort to avoid the need for such a drawn out and public court case. All my attempts to do so were knocked back by Mrs (Rebekah) Vardy.
"This left me with no alternative but to go through with the case to defend myself and to end the repeated leaking of my private information to The Sun.
"These leaks from my private Instagram account began in 2017. They continued for almost two years, intruding on my privacy and that of my family. Although I bear Mrs Vardy no ill-will, today's judgment makes clear that I was right in what I said in my posts of October 2019.
"Finally, I would like to thank all of my legal team, my family, friends and everyone who supported me, including the public, through this difficult and stressful time."
In her statement, Vardy said: "I am extremely sad and disappointed at the decision that the judge has reached.
"It is not the result that I had expected, nor believe was just. I brought this action to vindicate my reputation and am devastated by the judge's finding.
"The judge accepted that publication of Coleen's post was not in the 'public interest' and she also rejected her claim that I was the 'Secret Wag' (a reference to a column in The Sun).
"But as for the rest of her judgment, she got it wrong and this is something I cannot accept."
Vardy issued a plea to those who have subjected her to abuse to stop.
She said: "As I explained in my evidence, I, my family and even my unborn baby were subjected to disgusting messages and vile abuse following Coleen's post and these have continued even during the course of the trial.
"Please can the people who have been abusing me and my family now stop. The case is over.
"I want to thank everyone who has supported me."
Vardy is facing up to £3 million in legal costs following Friday's ruling.
Source: Press Association
