Owen Wins Case Against Daily Express
Newcastle and England striker Michael Owen has won a settlement in the High Court, accepting a public apology and substantial undisclosed damages over ‘incredulous allegations’ in the Daily Express that his football career was over.
The player was not in London for the settlement of his libel action over the story last month but Owen’s solicitor, John Kelly, told Mr Justice Eady that the article falsely alleged that Premier League clubs did not want to sign him and, as a result of a lack of interest, he was on the verge of retiring from professional football at the end of the season.
Kelly said that the back-page article, entitled ‘Unwanted Toon striker at a cross roads, Finished at 29?’, was accompanied by another headed ‘Owen ready for sad finale’.
Kelly also stated that ‘these incredulous allegations are entirely without foundation and were obviously extremely distressing, hurtful and damaging to the claimant.’
The player’s distress was aggravated by the fact that the article was published on the eve of an important game in which his club was fighting to avoid relegation and just two weeks before the Premier League transfer window was due to open.
He said that the allegations were not put to Owen or his representatives before publication, or they would have been advised of their falsity.
Ian Helme, counsel for Express Newspapers, which has agreed to pay damages and Owen’s legal costs, accepted that the allegations were false and without foundation and apologised for the distress, embarrassment and offence caused.
