Former Blackburn manager Steve Kean pays ‘substantial damages’ to West Ham boss Sam Allardyce

Ex-Blackburn Rovers boss Steve Kean has paid undisclosed damages to his predecessor, Sam Allardyce, over claims he made that the current West Ham boss was a “crook”.

Kean was filmed telling Rovers supporters on a pre-season tour of Hong Kong that Big Sam had lost his job at Ewood Park “because he’s a f**king crook”. The footage was posted on YouTube, prompting Allardyce to take legal action.

Allardyce’s solicitor said Kean had accepted the allegation was completely untrue, withdrawn it, and agreed to pay an undisclosed sum.

The BBC reports:

Allardyce’s solicitor, Hanna Basha, told the High Court that the “false and defamatory” allegation was made while Kean was drinking in a bar.

Kean’s comments were recorded on video, posted on YouTube and reported in national newspapers.

Kean’s counsel, John Mehrzad, offered his apologies for the hurt and distress caused and said he was pleased to set the record straight.