Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has accepted libel damages for a magazine report linking him with a potential move to Real Madrid.
The England midfielder brought proceedings in London's High Court over an article published in Sport Magazine in February.
Gerrard's solicitor, Gerard Tyrrell, told Mr Justice Eady that the story included a fax from the Park Lane Marriott Hotel which claimed was "confirmation of a hotel reservation in London for the Liverpool captain".
There was also reference to the "world exclusive" in the editor's letter which stated that the fax "purports to come from the Marriott Hotel, and confirms bookings on Monday February 5 for Liverpool and England star Steven Gerrard and one Ramon Calderon, who just happens to be president of Real Madrid".
Mr Tyrrell said the allegations were completely untrue and without any foundation whatsoever.
Publisher Sport Media and Strategy Limited have since issued an apology to Gerrard and accepted that the allegations were false and agreed to pay him damages and legal costs.
A statement said: "We unreservedly apologise to Steven Gerrard and his family for suggesting in our issue dated February 2 that he has been involved in breach of FA rules in secret talks with Real Madrid relating to a possible move this summer.
"We did not check this story with Mr Gerrard before publication, and we now accept that the story is entirely untrue. We have agreed to pay Mr Gerrard a sum in damages and his legal fees."
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