Footballer hits back for gay slur

Back in February the News of the World broke an exclusive story about two Premiership footballers being engaged in gay activities. It followed up with another story the following week with more exposes.

Similar stories were then published by its sister publication The Sun. However none of the reports identified the players. In its second publication, the News of the World published a photograph claiming to be two of the men involved in the gay orgy. Again, the photographs were pixilated to conceal their identities.

Ever since, internet website and blogs have been speculating on the identity of the footballers – one of whom is said to be an England international, a household name and enjoys a strong relationship with his girlfriend.

Many names have been bandied about. Some very popular names as well. It is rather sad that in the present open and all-embracing climate where gays are welcomed and encouraged in all walks of life, football stands alone in castigating them.

And yesterday, fearing that his reputation will be soiled by being linked as a gay, England international and Arsenal defender Ashley Cole filed a libel claim against the two newspapers over the gay report.

He claims that he has been wrongly identified and linked to the gay sex allegations.

Many would argue that Cole is right is pursuing his legal right to protect his reputation. However on the other hand, many cynics will say that his legal action was just a pre-emptive strike to stop further allegations being made.

Surely Cole could have called for a press conference to clear his name. Or he could have sued the websites or blogs that identified him as a gay. Why is he targeting the two newspapers? Could it be because there are to be more embarrassing exposes soon?

Was Cole advised by his lawyers that along the suit also comes an injunction order to stop the News of the World from publishing more allegations?

The Times said that Cole has filed claims for harassment, breach of privacy and libel. He is also claiming breach of privacy, or “false privacy”, meaning that although he does not accept that the allegations are true, the claims have still breached his privacy.

Again the question is how can this be when he was not directly or indirectly named in the reports.

Whatever it is, taking the legal step is definitely a big move. It is costly, time consuming and opens up Cole to more potentially damaging allegations.

I can’t wait to see how the newspapers will plead. And neither can I wait to read what the News of the World runs this Sunday.

note: my previous blog entry on this: Who are the gay footballers?
p/s: photo above shows Cole with his girlfriend.

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