Strikers Lineker and Kewell strike libel deal

England legend Gary Lineker and Liverpool player Harry Kewell have settled their High Court libel case, it was confirmed today.

Solicitors confirmed the action was settled as a draw last Friday after a jury failed to reach a verdict in the case.

A panel of six men and six women had been unable to decide whether Kewell, 26, was defamed by the Match Of The Day presenter’s comments about his transfer from Leeds.

Kewell, an Australian international, had sought substantial damages for Lineker’s “hurtful and humiliating attack” in a July 2003 Sunday Telegraph column.

The player’s solicitor, Chris Farnell, of Hill Dickinson, said: “Parties have come to an agreement and they won’t be seeking a new trial. We don’t intend to comment on the terms of the settlement.”

Mr Farnell declined to confirm if any liability had been admitted by Lineker.

During a seven-day trial, the court heard that his column was ghost-written due to the pressure of his TV commitments.

Kewell claimed that Lineker, 44, sports editor Jon Ryan and the Telegraph Group Ltd had accused him of being a fool and implied he was guilty of dishonourable conduct.

The defendants had denied libel and pleaded fair comment.