The prominent page three apology in the News of the World, and picture of Cole, came after the player sued the two papers over the story about alleged gay Premiership footballers. The Sun this morning ran the same apology as its sister Sunday title, although less prominently on page 19.
The newspapers did not mention Cole's name specifically in any of the stories. However, it printed a doctored picture, which was since revealed to be of Cole and a Choice FM DJ, Masterstepz, who has also received an apology and damages.
The story alleged that two premiership footballers and a music industry figure took part in a gay romp in which a mobile phone was used as a "gay sex toy".
In its apology, the paper said: "Although the photograph was pixillated, some readers have understood Mr Cole to be one of the footballers and Masterstepz to be the DJ concerned. We are happy to make clear that Mr Cole and Masterstepz were not involved in any such activities.
"We apologise to them for any distress caused and we will be paying them each a sum in the way of damages.
"We wish Mr Cole the very best of luck in today's match against Ecuador."
The doctored picture was revealed to be Cole and Masterstepz by gay news website PinkNews.co.uk.
The story highlighted the power of the internet to damage reputations and at one stage Cole's lawyers asked Google to disclose why the word 'gay' was being linked to Cole when his name was typed into the internet search engine.
Before Pinknews.co.uk identified Cole as the man in the picture the News of the World had ran, there had been much erroneous internet speculation that Cole was the person in the article.
Cole's solicitors went on to use the internet to find out how articles relating to a 'gay orgy' have affected the public's view of the star as part of their libel case.
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