by 112-1077774096 » Fri Jun 06, 2008 4:51 am
he's not such a bad old ginger after all
EVERTON manager David Moyes is to donate his Wayne Rooney libel damages to a charity which helps former players.
The Blues boss sued his former player over a claim in his biography My Story So Far which accused him of a “serious breach of trust”.
The footballer suggested Moyes leaked details of a private conversation – during which Rooney stated his intention to leave the club – to the ECHO.
At the High Court yesterday solicitor Sarah Toolin, representing Rooney, his co-author Hunter Davies and publishers HarperCollins, accepted the allegation was untrue.
Moyes has now accepted “substantial” undisclosed libel damages
And today he confirmed he will donate the cash to the Everton Former Players Foundation – a charity which has helped more than 200 players with anything from payment for hip replacements to addiction counselling.
As well as helping former players “who did not have the luxury of today’s inflated wages”, the charity also helps underprivileged children across the world embrace football and donates equipment and Everton kits.
Trustee Reverend Harry Ross, who with ECHO chief football writer David Prentice, helped found the charity eight years ago, said: “We are delighted David has made this gesture and that his reputation has been re-established.”
Moyes was also annoyed by passages in the book which accused him of being ultimately responsible for Rooney’s £27m transfer to Manchester Utd in 2004.
After the brief hearing in London, Moyes said in a statement: “I am glad these issues have now been resolved and my name fully cleared in this matter.
“Anyone who knows me well would, I hope, regard me as a man of honour and integrity.
“I was disappointed and wanted people to know what had been written was untrue.”
Ian Monk Associates, who represent Wayne Rooney, said: “All costs and damages in this case are being met by the publishers, HarperCollins.”
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