'Big Sam' wins defamation case

London - West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has won substantial undisclosed damages over a claim that he was sacked from his previous job at Blackburn as a result of involvement in irregular financial dealings.

Allardyce brought defamation proceedings in London's High Court against Steve Kean, his successor at the Lancashire club.

Kean was filmed making the allegation while drinking in a bar in Hong Kong, during Blackburn's pre-season Asia tour in July 2011.

The video was subsequently published on the internet and reported in British media.

Lawyers told the court that Kean has acknowledged that the allegation was untrue and decided to withdraw it, agreeing to pay the damages.