'Gay orgy' article riles Cole
2006-03-03 15:25
London - England footballer Ashley Cole is to sue British tabloid newspapers The Sun and The News of the World over claims that two unnamed players indulged in gay sex acts, it was reported.
British media industry trade magazine Press Gazette said the Arsenal defender, 25, had filed writs for harassment, breach of privacy and libel following the articles, which did not name any player allegedly involved.
The Sun, which like its weekly Sunday sister paper is part of media tycoon Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation group, featured the story on the front page of its Friday edition.
"The writs relate to rumours that he was one of two Premiership stars who allegedly used a mobile phone as a sex toy," its report stated.
"The papers did not name the footballers, but Cole's proceedings state that his name was wrongly linked to the scandal on internet sites and chatrooms."
The Sun identified itself and its sister paper as the recipients of the writs.
The News of the World first reported claims about two Premiership footballers and a music industry friend on February 12 under the headline "Gay as You Go", following up a week later with a pixellated photograph.
Left back Cole, who is engaged to Girls Aloud pop singer Cheryl Tweedy, is currently out of action after sustaining an ankle injury in an Arsenal reserve team match on Monday.
- AFP