Chelsea owner Abramovich accepts damages over gambling story
Roman Abramovich accepts apology and substantial damages from Italian newspaper that claimed he had gambling problem
Thursday, 18, Mar 2010 02:03
By Matthew Champion.
Roman Abramovich has accepted a public apology and damages after an Italian newspaper claimed the Chelsea Football Club owner was addicted to gambling.
A report in la Repubblica last May claimed the Russian billionaire had lost a yacht worth half a million euros in a bet gone awry.
His solicitor John Kelly said the report was completely untrue and caused his client "distress and embarrassment".
The claims were published under an article entitled "A black year for Abramovich as he loses a yacht at poker".
"Regrettably, these allegations were not put to Mr Abramovich or his representatives before publication," Mr Kelly said. "If they had been, the defendant would have been advised of the utter falsity of the allegations."
In the high court, Mr Justice Eady said "substantial damages" should be awarded to Abramovich, which his representative said would be paid to charity.
Sarah Toolan, solicitor for la Repubblica, said the newspaper offered its "sincere apologies" for the report.