MAIL ON SUNDAY APOLOGISE FOR GERRARD STORY

Official Site, 6 Feb 2005
By Paul Rogers

The Mail on Sunday have today apologised to Liverpool Football Club for a story about a secret meeting that never took place between Rick Parry and Peter Kenyon to discuss the sale of Steven Gerrard to Chelsea.

A week ago today, the Mail on Sunday reported that a secret meting had taken place between the two men to agree a deal to sell the Liverpool captain to Stamford Bridge in the summer but today, the Mail on Sunday has printed a full apology for the story and amitted it was wrong.

The apology, under the headline 'Liverpool FC and Rick Parry' reads:

"Last Sunday, we reported that, following secret talks between Rick Parry and Peter Kenyon, a deal had been agreed to sell Steven Gerrard to Chelsea, a transfer that Mr Parry accepted was inevitable and which had first been agreed last June.

"We accept that no such talks have ever been held and that neither Mr Parry nor LFC accept accept such a transfer is inevitable. Nor were there any talks or deal between the clubs last summer. We apologise to both Mr Parry and LFC for any embarrassment caused."

* Gerrard and Jamie Carragher have both been named in the England squad to face Holland at Villa Park this Wednesday.