Firm off target in PFA libel battle

BOSMAN RULING: Reid Minty may appeal after suing soccer chief Gordon Taylor over 'misleading Labour MP' attack

A London law firm has lost a libel action against the head of the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA), leaving it with a costs bill estimated at 750,000.

Mayfair-based Reid Minty sued Gordon Taylor over his accusation that the firm misled Labour MP Alan Meale into fronting a meeting over freedom of contract for footballers.The firm is considering an appeal and took out insurance which should cover the costs order.In the wake of the Bosman judgment in 1995, which ruled that it was unlawful for football clubs to demand transfer fees for players whose contracts had expired and who then moved cross-border within the EU, Reid Minty set up the Players Out of Contract Assoc.

(POCA), encouraging players to join.

Publicising POCA with the help of client Vinnie Jones, the firm said it believed a UK court would construe Bosman widely and apply it to domestic transfers.

As part of its efforts, Reid Minty organised a meeting at the House of Commons in November 1996 following an invitation from Mr Meale.In an exchange on BBC Radio 5 Live ahead of the meeting, Mr Taylor accused Reid Minty partner Jonathan Ebsworth of trying to divide the PFA.

He also said Mr Meale 'had no idea that this was a PFA-bashing campaign.

He was told this was to look into a report on professional football'.

Reid Minty sued Mr Taylor only over the allegation relating to Mr Meale and not over his othercomments.The firm called Mr Ebsworth and senior partner Andrew Reid as witnesses, as well as Mr Meale and top football agent Jonathan Holmes.

Mr Taylor was the only defence witness.After a 12-day hearing last month but only three hours of deliberation, the jury returned a unanimous verdict for Mr Taylor, finding that his claim was substantially true.

The judge, Mr Justice Gray, also ruled in law that Mr Taylor was entitled to say what he did about Reid Minty provided he did so in good faith because he had been responding in defence of himself and the PFA against attacks by Reid Minty.

The statement would then enjoy qualified privilege, he said.

The PFA's solicitors, Manchester firm George Davies, acted together with defamation specialist Barton Taylor of City firm Gouldens.

Reid Minty acted for itself.A Reid Minty statement said: 'Alan Meale told us both on video and by way of letter that he was not misled and confirmed this fact to the jury.

If the jury chose not to believe him, there is nothing we can do save to say we still believe him.'Neil Rose