03/03/2006

Ashley Cole to sue over newspaper allegations

Arsenal and England footballer Ashley Cole is to sue two newspapers over allegations made about the sexuality of two unnamed Premiership footballers.

The footballer is suing both the 'News of the World' and the 'Sun', after the papers ran stories claiming that two Premiership footballers had been caught on camera in a "homosexual orgy" with a music industry figure.

The News of the World also published a photograph, claiming to be of one of the players and the music industry figure, but it was pixellated to conceal their identities.

In an unusual move, Mr Cole has filed claims against both papers for harassment, libel and breach of privacy.

Although the paper did not name the individuals featured, Mr Cole's solicitor Graham Shear denied the allegations and said that the "false and offensive" articles had been "designed" in such as way as to identify his client.

It is believed that Mr Cole, who is engaged to singer Cheryl Tweedy, is bringing the claims because of the spread of internet chatroom rumours which followed the publication of the stories.

(KMcA/SP)

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