Schillings Announce Libel Claim Win For Michael Essien Against
The People
Released
on: November 3, 2009, 6:48 am
Author: Schillings
Industry: Law
The
Chelsea premiership footballer Michael Essien, represented by
London law firm Schillings, has won his libel claim against the
People newspaper.
Libel
proceedings were issued against MGN Limited, the publisher of
the People newspaper, following the publication of two articles.
The first article, published on 25 May 2008, carried the headline
"Chelsea Cheat Michael Essien: I'll Stand by my Love Child".
This was followed by another article on 3 May 2009 under the headline
"Sex Cheat Star Essien Gets Boot".
The
articles claimed that Mr Essien had cheated on his long term partner
by having numerous affairs with other women and fathered a child
behind his partner's back. As a result, his partner had called
off their wedding. These allegations were found to be false and
grossly defamatory towards Mr Essien.
The
People has accepted that these allegations are untrue, and has
paid Mr Essien substantial damages as well as agreeing to pay
his legal costs. The People have also undertaken not to repeat
the allegations.
In
its apology, the People said: "On 25 May 2008 and 3 May 2009
we reported that Michael Essien had cheated on his long term girlfriend
Nadia Buari by having numerous affairs behind her back including
one in which he fathered a child. On 3 May we reported that as
a result of his behaviour Ms Buari called their wedding off. We
now accept that these allegations are untrue. We apologise to
Mr Essien for any distress or embarrassment caused."
A
representative of Schillings
who represented Michael Essien said: "There has been a lot
of inaccurate reporting concerning Michael and he was not prepared
to allow this misreporting to continue."
Schillings
also said that, "these allegations were not put to Michael
or his representatives prior to publication and had the People
done so they would have been informed of their utter falsity."
Caroline
McAteer of The Sports PR Company said on behalf of Michael Essien:
"Michael is delighted to have won his case and to have set
the record straight. He would have preferred not to take action,
but had no alternative in this case. Michael is pleased that this
matter has now been resolved."
- END -
Notes to Editors:
Case number HQ09X02164
About
Schillings:
Schillings is one of Britain's top law firms specialising in reputation
management for footballers,
their clubs and other sports personalities. They also help protect
corporate
reputations, brands, celebrities and high-profile business
people. The firm's track-record in defamation, privacy
law and copyright cases, as well as commercial dispute resolution
is second to none.
Defamation
privacy and copyright are at the heart of the firm's work, prompting
The Independent newspaper to call Schillings a "spectacularly
efficient media law firm."
Schillings
clients include the recording artist Madonna, supermodel Naomi
Campbell, seven times Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, Harry
Potter author JK Rowling, pharmaceuticals maker GlaxoSmithKline,
steel maker Arcelor Mittal, the Harrods Group and the London Stock
Exchange.
For
further enquiries please:
Christopher Mills
Commercial Director
41 Bedford Square
London
WC1B 3HX
+44(0)20 7034 9000
www.schillings.co.uk
2010
