Rooney Wins £100k Damages

The Sun and News of the World today agreed to pay £100,000 in damages to Wayne Rooney over allegations that he assaulted his fiancee in a nightclub.

Both papers are to publish "prominent" apologies for articles defaming the Manchester United and England footballer that appeared in April last year. They will also pay Rooney's legal costs.

"The defendant sincerely apologises for the distress and embarrassment caused by these defamatory articles which it fully accepts were false," said the papers' barrister, John Kelsey-Fry QC, in a statement at the high court in London.

Rooney's solicitors, Schillings, said the damages amounted to £100,000, "reflecting the gravity of libel". The footballer intends to donate the money to charity, Schillings added.

He sued over a Sun article headlined "Crazed Rooney Thumps Coleen", which alleged he had slapped his fiancee, Coleen McLoughlin, across the face in a Cheshire nightclub.

A News of the World story, headlined "Rooney: The Truth" further alleged he had punched her in the ribs and chest, told her to "Fuck off home" and had to be calmed down and restrained by teammates.

Ronald Thwaites QC, representing Rooney, said the allegations were "completely false and indefensible".

"The defendant got it wrong. The claimant and his fiancee Coleen McLoughlin were devastated by the publication of these false allegations which caused the claimant and his fiancee to suffer enormous embarrassment and distress," Mr Thwaites added.

He said the two papers had agreed to pay Rooney's legal costs on top of the damages.