A publisher has apologized to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich for libelous charges.
Mr. Abramovich allegedly bought London football club Chelsea on the orders of Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to a book published by HarperCollins.
On Wednesday, the corporation issued an apology to Mr. Abramovich and stated that a settlement had been reached.
In lieu of damages, it has revised the book and will make a charitable donation.
In her book Putin’s People, published by HarperCollins last year, UK journalist Catherine Belton includes an accusation from another Russian millionaire, Sergei Pugachev, that Mr Abramovich bought the club in 2003 on Mr Putin’s orders.
In a statement, the publisher said Ms. Belton’s book “contained some inaccurate information” about Mr. Abramovich.
“While the book always included a denial that Mr Abramovich was acting under anybody’s direction when he purchased Chelsea, the new edition will include a more detailed explanation of Mr Abramovich’s motivations for buying the club,” it read.
A spokesman for Mr Abramovich said they were “pleased” at the settlement, and said the allegations “lacked evidence and were indeed false”.
“In contrast to events relayed in the book, Mr Abramovich’s ambition with Chelsea Football Club has always been clear and transparent: to create world-class teams on the pitch and to ensure the club plays a positive role in all of its communities.”
Since his takeover of the club, Chelsea have won the Premier League and the FA Cup five times each, as well as twice winning the UEFA Champions League, most recently last year when the team beat Manchester City.
