Abramovich wins payout over gambling claim

CHELSEA FC owner Roman Abramovich accepted a public apology and substantial libel damages at the High Court in London yesterday over false newspaper allegations that he had a serious gambling problem.

His solicitor John Kelly told a judge in London that the claims had caused the “internationally well-known and wealthy” Russian businessman “distress and embarrassment”.

The action arose out of allegations in Italian newspaper La Repubblica last May in an article titled, “A black year for Abramovich as he loses a yacht at poker”.