Cesc Fabregas Wins Damages over Fabricated Quotations About Arsenal

Former Arsenal playmaker Cesc Fabregas tweeted Tuesday that he has received "an apology, retraction, and damages" from Sport magazine, which had attributed the following quotations to the Catalan in an article it ran recently about his move to Barcelona.

"I needed a change in my life, that's the truth. We weren't winning any titles and it was very frustrating for me. I didn't feel like I was developing anymore as I should do.

I want to be in a club that is able to win the big titles year after year and I don't see that kind of future for Arsenal. I still have many feelings for Arsenal but I fear that they won't be able to push the other big clubs in England away. If you look at the team this season I can't see them finishing in front of teams like Manchester United or City. Or Chelsea. There's just too big a difference between the squads.

I respect that Arsenal doesn't have the same financial opportunities as the others but it was part of my decision to leave that I find it hard to see Arsenal winning Premier League or Champions League in a near future. I hope they will replace me and the others that have left with some quality players and maybe they can take Arsenal back to their level as champions.

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Fabregas immediately took to Twitter last week to denounce those quotations, saying he had never spoken to the magazine, and would never speak that way about Arsenal, a club he has continuously thanked for making him the footballer he is today.

The current Barca No. 4 frequently uses his Twitter account to send encouraging messages for and about Arsenal. Still only 24, he has created a reputation of honesty and integrity, which certainly helped in this case, as those quotes raised skepticism and appeared out-of-character.

With this matter behind him, Fabregas has said that he will donate the damages to charity. He also expressed his incredulity with the comportment of Sport in this matter, saying he "can't believe some journalists."