Ronaldo begins libel action against newspaper

Manchester United footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has started libel proceedings over a newspaper article alleging he was fined £8,000 (€10,506) in one day for using his mobile phone during training.

Top London law firm Schillings announced today that it has issued libel proceedings at the High Court against News Group Newspapers, owners of The Sun.

The libel claim follows publication of an article headed “Text-Mad Ronaldo fined £8k, Fergie’s Fury on phone ban. Exclusive”.

Schillings said the story alleged that the footballer was fined £8,000 in one day by his manager, Alex Ferguson, for using his mobile phone four times during training.

Simon Smith, Ronaldo’s solicitor in London, instructed by the player’s Portuguese lawyer Carlos Osorio de Castro, said: “Our client is a professional footballer who takes his training very seriously.

“The Sun article wrongly accuses him of being unprofessional and he felt he had to take legal action in order to protect his reputation.”