DAVID BECKHAM - BECKHAM WINS DAMAGES OVER MODEL CLAIMS

BECKHAM WINS DAMAGES OVER MODEL CLAIMS

Soccer superstar DAVID BECKHAM has won substantial libel damages and an apology over false reports he tried to woo a topless model.
The Los Angeles Galaxy heart-throb launched legal action when U.K. tabloid the Daily Star alleged he had "made a play" for Hungarian beauty Mariann Fogarasy.
The newspaper claimed Beckham "got close" to the blonde when he was playing on loan for Italian side AC Milan.
A front-page report, headlined "Becks And The Blonde Beauty", alleged he met the model earlier this year (09) and had been emailing her with "private party" invitations. The story also appeared on the newspaper's website.
In a hearing at London's High Court on Tuesday (23Jun09), Beckham's lawyer Gerrard Tyrrell told the judge Mr Justice Eady the allegations were serious, defamatory, and completely untrue.
Mr Tyrrell said the newspaper now accepts the story was untrue and has retracted the allegations.
Kate Wilson, lawyer for Express Group Newspapers - which owns the Daily Star - said bosses have agreed to pay Beckham substantial undisclosed damages and his legal costs. They have also apologised to the star and his family for the distress, embarrassment and injury the article caused.
Beckham was not in court for the hearing.