Celtic manager Martin O'Neill today accepted substantial undisclosed libel damages over an article which claimed his representatives had been involved in secret talks about succeeding Alex Ferguson as Manchester United boss. The front-page story, published in The Observer newspaper last May, was headed "Revealed: Plot to oust Ferguson" and mentioned secret informal talks between United's chief executive and O'Neill's representatives. The story also alleged that an informal agreement had been reached to avoid a breach of Football League rules by United.
O'Neill's solicitor, Paul Hackney, told Mr Justice Gray at the High Court in London that the allegations questioned O'Neill's loyalty and had caused great distress and anxiety to him, his family, the directors and employees of Celtic and its supporters. He had issued proceedings because he was not prepared to allow his commitment to Celtic and its supporters to be undermined and for his reputation to be impugned.
The newspaper's publishers, Guardian Newspapers Ltd, now accepted that the allegations were without foundation and should not have appeared. They offered an unqualified apology and agreed to pay O'Neill substantial damages and his legal costs. O'Neill himself was not present in court at the hearing.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
