QuestionOne

Arnie, a Premiership football referee, was officiating in a tense local derby betweenNottingleyUnited andNottingleyCity. During the match Arnie disallowed two Unitedgoals and refused them a penalty kick. After the game, which City won 1-0, the Unitedcaptain, Bertie,shouted loudlyat Arnie "Oi, Referee. You are a disgrace.That matchwas a fix.All referees are in on this scam.City win the league every year because theyare lining your pockets."The comments were heard by a large section of the crowd,includingClive,alocaljournalistwiththeNottingleySportNewspaper.

Clive decided to investigate the comments and after extensive research theNottingleySport published the story under the headline: "The Final Whistle: How City really wonthe League".The story alleged thatNottingleyCity matches had been fixed by Arnie formany years and that he had taken bribes from the club's chairman,Fred.During hisinvestigation Clive attempted to speak to Arnie andFredbut they refused to beinterviewed.Alongside the story was a photograph of Arnie with two other Premiershipreferees,EricandErnie, with thecaption"Refereetookbribestofixgames".

SincethestorywaspublishedArniehasnotbeenabletorefereeduetothreatsfromfansandEricandErniehavesufferedsignificant embarrassment.

Advise Arnie,Fredand Eric and Ernie as to any action they could take in the tort ofdefamation.