David Moyes gives libel victory cash to ex-Everton players

Jun 4 2008 by Laura Sharpe, Liverpool Daily Post

EVERTON’S Former Players Foundation could benefit from up to £300,000 after David Moyes accepted “substantial” libel damages yesterday.

The Everton manager accepted the money over a “wholly untrue” allegation in Wayne Rooney’s autobiography that he leaked details of a confidential conversation with the star.

The sum was undisclosed, but Moyes had been reported to have claimed more than £300,000 in damages from the former Everton player following comments made in the book My Story So Far, published in 2006.

Moyes said he would not make any financial gain from the damages, and would give the money to the Everton Former Players Foundation.

Moyes, who sued Rooney, his co-author Hunter Davies and publisher HarperCollins, also received a public apology at a hearing at the High Court in London.

Solicitor Edward Parladorio, for Moyes, told Mr Justice Eady that his client, manager of Everton since February, 2002, was accused of “a serious breach of trust towards a young player under his management”.

He said Moyes was accused of leaking the contents of a private and confidential conversation, during which Rooney stated his intention to leave Everton “and the city of Liverpool by reason of intense press coverage of his personal life”, to a local newspaper.

After the brief hearing, Moyes said in a statement: “I am glad that these issues have now been resolved and that my name has been fully cleared in this matter.

“Anyone who knows me well would, I hope, regard me as a man of honour and integrity.

“I was disappointed and wanted people to know that what had been written was completely untrue.

“I felt that I had no choice but to take action for a full apology and damages.

“Having accepted these, I do not intend to make any financial gain from this, and shall give that to the Everton Former Players Foundation.

“All of the above said, we have now moved on and I wish Wayne and his family all the best for the future both on the field and off it.”

During the hearing, Mr Parladorio told the judge that there was “no breach of confidence or betrayal of trust by Mr Moyes”.

The lawyer added: “Happily, Mr Rooney, Mr Davies and HarperCollins Publishing Limited appear here today by their solicitor to acknowledge that they were mistaken and publicly withdraw the allegation and apologise.

“The defendants have also agreed to pay Mr Moyes a substantial sum in damages and his legal costs.”

Sarah Toolan, solicitor for the defendants, told the judge: “All defendants accept that the allegation to which my friend has referred was untrue and sincerely apologise to Mr Moyes for the distress and embarrassment caused.”

Ian Monk, spokesman for Wayne Rooney, said afterwards that “all costs and damages in this case are being met by the publishers”.

It is understood to have been the first time that a Premiership manager has sued one of his former players for libel.

A spokesman for Everton Former Players Foundation said: “This is fantastic news for the Foundation, which looks after current and former players.

“We’re thrilled that Moyes has donated this money.”

laurasharpe@dailypost.co.uk