Kieren Fallon is to sue the newspaper which printed claims that he was involved with Triad members, it emerged today.
Irishman Fallon, who is champion jockey in Britain, is cutting short a stint in Macau due to a neck injury and will launch proceedings when he returns to England next week.
In a statement to PA Sport, his solicitors Ralph Davis said: "Kieren Fallon who is currently riding in Macau has had his attention drawn to an article in the News Of The Worlddated February 24th, 2002 in which it is alleged that he was involved with Triads while riding under licence in Hong Kong and that as a consequence the Hong Kong Jockey Club has refused him a licence.
"Kieren Fallon would like to reassure the racing public that these allegations are false and without foundation.
"On his return to England next week he will be instructing his solicitors to take action against the News Of The Worldseeking an apology and a retraction in relation to theses allegations."
In the 1990s Fallon, together with trainer Lynda Ramsden and her husband Jack, won a libel case against The Sporting Lifewhich had accused him of "cheating" on staying handicapper Top Cees.
He has vehemently denied any connection with the Triads, the Chinese mafia, during his spell in Hong Kong in 1999/2000.
PA