A Scottish newspaper has become the first to name the footballer linked to a controversial privacy case.
The married star, referred to as CTB in court documents, is alleged to have had a “sexual relationship” with Big Brother’s Imogen Thomas.
The Sunday Herald newspaper published a thinly concealed front page photograph of the player yesterday. It printed his face with his eyes blacked out and the word "censored" written over the top.
A spokesman for the Attorney General said no complaint had been received in relation to the front page.
Beneath the picture the paper wrote: "Everyone knows this is the footballer accused of using the courts to keep allegations of a sexual affair secret." In an editorial, the Sunday Herald said it was "unsustainable" for newspapers not to be able to print information which is available on the internet.
“We should point out immediately that we are not accusing the footballer concerned of any misdeed. Whether the allegations against him are true or not has no relevance to this debate," it said.
“The issue is one of freedom of information and of a growing argument in favour of more restrictive privacy laws.” The newspaper is the first mainstream publication to apparently identify the player.
Tens of thousands of people have now posted messages on the website Twitter, also allegedly naming him, however.
The footballer obtained an injunction preventing The Sun newspaper from revealing his name last month and has now launched proceedings against Twitter and "persons unknown".
No complaints have yet been made about the Sunday Herald to the Attorney General.
A spokesman for the Attorney General said: “The Attorney is aware of the publication in Scotland which has attracted attention.
“He has received no complaint or referral from any parties or by any court.” Lawyers acting for CTB are asking Twitter for information about the people who “may have breached a court order”.
A Twitter spokesman said they were unable to comment on the issue.
PA