Courtois to take libel action against ex-coach Wilmots

BRUSSELS: Chelsea and Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is to take action against his former international manager Marc Wilmots for libel and defamation following comments that appeared to blame him and his father for his country’s elimination from Euro 2016. Courtois announced via his Facebook page on Tuesday night that he would be taking action along with his father after comments made by Wilmots in an interview with French television channel beIN Sports. “Mr. M. Wilmots — not for the first time — reiterates publicly and intentionally accusations against my honor and my reputation as well as my father,” Courtois, 25, wrote. “We decided together to file an official complaint accompanied by criminal indemnification proceedings for libel and defamation.” Asked about his supposedly difficult relationship with Courtois, a result of the 3-1 defeat against Wales in the Euro 2016 quarter-finals, Wilmots said: “I just have a problem when I... name my team at 6pm and at 6:15pm it is all over social media.” He added: “That means a player has sold the national team, and that is serious.”