David Beckham wins libel case over "flirt" with Hungarian model

David Beckham wins libel case over "flirt" with Hungarian modelLondon  - England football star David Beckham Tuesday won what were described as substantial libel damages over a claim that he "made a play" for Hungarian model Mariann Fogarasy.

The 34-year-old England star, married to Victoria Beckham or "Posh Spice", was not at London's High Court for the settlement of his case against Express Group Newspapers over an article which appeared in The Daily Star newspaper in April.

His solicitor, Gerrard Tyrrell, told the court that the "serious and defamatory allegations" were completely untrue.

The front page story, which also appeared on the paper's website, claimed that Beckham had "made a play" for Fogarasy after a recent AC Milan match in Hungary.

He had also allegedly e-mailed her with "private party" invitations since they "got close" after the match.

But the newspaper now accepted that Beckham did not behave in the manner described and unequivocally retracted the allegations, Tyrrell said.

Kate Wilson, counsel for Express Group Newspapers, which has agreed to pay Beckham substantial damages and his legal costs, apologized to him and his family for the distress, embarrassment and injury caused.(dpa)