Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has accepted substantial undisclosed libel damages over an article which said that his representatives had been involved in secret talks about succeeding Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson.
O'Neill's solicitor, Paul Hackney, told Justice Gray at the High Court in London that, before the story appeared in the Observer in May, there was much speculation in the media that O'Neill would take over from Ferguson on his retirement next summer.
There followed further publication of O'Neill's express denial of any intention of wishing to become United's manager or of leaving Celtic before the end of his three-year contract in 2003.
The newspaper's publishers, Guardian Newspapers Ltd, now accepted that the allegations were without foundation and should not have appeared.
O'Neill wished it to be known that he does not employ an agent and has never authorised anyone to conduct negotiations with United while contracted to Celtic.
The newspaper offered an unqualified apology and agreed to pay O'Neill substantial damages and his legal costs.
Newcastle United were also celebrating a victory in London last night after Alan Shearer's red card misery turned to joy.
Bobby Robson's side may not have won on the pitch in 28 matches in the capital, but they were triumphant at Soho Square yesterday when Shearer's dismissal at Charlton was overturned after referee Andy D'Urso and assistant Graham Beale were shown a video replay of his clash with Jon Fortune.
Debt-stricken Nottingham Forest's problems, however, are only beginning, with the club's parent company, Nottingham Forest plc, suspended yesterday from the Alternative Investment Market after they failed to produce results for the financial year ending May 31st, 2001.
Forest, who are spending above their means in a bid to attain the riches on offer to top Premiership clubs, have finally managed to off-load top-earner Chris Bart-Williams to Charlton on loan.
Charlton boss Alan Curbishley made a move for Bart-Williams after discovering that Republic of Ireland international Mark Kinsella will be sidelined until the New Year following a knee operation.
Charlton yesterday also forked out £4 million sterling to plug their injury-hit defence with Portuguese international Jorge Costa.
The 30-year-old centre back has agreed a five-month loan deal from Porto - and his transfer to The Valley will be made permanent next summer.
However, French midfielder Olivier Dacourt has insisted transferring is not on his mind. The Leeds player has pledged himself to the club amid rumours he is unsettled at Elland Road.
Juventus had been linked with a move for the player. However, Dacourt insists he is happy in Yorkshire and claims he is dedicated to the club.
Paris St Germain coach Luis Fernandez has confirmed star striker Nicolas Anelka is dedicated to the club, despite mounting rumours he could be loaned to Premier League side Sunderland.
The 22-year-old France international, who joined the Parisian outfit last year for £22 million, has not featured in the last four games due to a toe injury.
Aston Villa's David Ginola faces missing games for a different reason - he is expected to be charged today by the FA with misconduct.
Ginola could be suspended for five or six matches after responding to his red card against Leicester on Saturday by squaring up to the fourth official Clive Wilkes.
Meanwhile, Phil Thompson has been rewarded for steering Liverpool to the top of the Premiership table as the side scooped a double in the latest monthly awards.
England midfielder Danny Murphy has captured the players' award, while Thompson is named manager of the month, even though he is still officially assistant to Gerard Houllier.
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