Sports boutique attacks Mail over Rooney allegations

Sports boutique Max Bitel Greene has launched a High Court defamation claim against Associated Newspapers on behalf of Everton Football Club manager David Moyes.

Partner Mel Goldberg is acting for Moyes and filed the claim yesterday in the High Court. Moyes is claiming damages of £200,000.

Moyes is suing the Daily Mail for defamation over an article which appeared on 25 July 2006 alleging that Moyes forced England striker Wayne Rooney out of Everton. The Mail serialised Rooney’s autobiography, in which the claims were made.

Goldberg confirmed to The Lawyer that the claim had been filed, adding that Moyes has not yet decided whether to sue Rooney himself but that this was “under consideration”.

Goldberg has instructed Selborne Chambers’ Stephen Boyd on Moyes’ behalf.

Associated Newspapers’ general counsel Harvey Kass could not be reached for comment.