LOS ANGELES (LALATE) – As news hit that David Beckham lost his In Touch U.S. lawsuit concerning Irma Nici (photos below), Beckham’s publicist was fast to spin the decision. Beckham’s publicist called it “unfortunate” that U.S. legal system required him to prove that In Touch acted with malice.

But that’s the requirement of a libel suit.

David Beckham in 2010 brought two lawsuits, one in Germany and one in the U.S., against at least two parties, the publisher of In Touch Magazine and the woman, Irma Nici, who made the assertions against Beckham. Beckham had in 2010 claimed that he told In Touch, prior to publication of the article, that its report was false. In Touch relied on its sources, not Beckham’s denial.

Beckham told news in 2010 that the story was false. And yesterday, his publicist told news the story was false. But the suit for libel had to prove malice, not just falsehood. “Bauer do not dispute for purposes of this motion that their story is false,” publicist Jeff Raymond  said in a written statement Monday. “They have not provided one shred of evidence to support the claim this story is true. David Beckham’s clear evidence proved that this is without foundation.”

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But where was the proof of malice? Judge Manuel L. Real ruled that In Touch did not act with malice.

Beckham is still hopeful. He says he will appeal. And he asserts his team allegedly has won the German case. But, “Unfortunately, the U.S. legal system requires us to show that the magazine acted maliciously. Any knowledgeable person knows this story not to be true.” And anyone knowledgeable about such cases knows that libel requires a showing of malice, not just falsehood.

How does Los Angeles Superior Court’s treat defamation lawsuits? In 2010, a Los Angeles Superior Court had to determine where the film “Bananas” defamed the Dole Food Company. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Ralph W. Dau believed the film was an exercise of free speech. Dau ordered Dole to pay the defendants’ attorneys fees under anti-SLAPP legislation, reportedly $199,959 in fees.

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That same year, an appeals court upheld $325,525 in attorney fees awarded to Stevie Wonder and two defendants getting a defamation lawsuit dismissed.

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LOS ANGELES (LALATE) -  David Beckham sued Irma Nici aka Irma Nezirovic (photos below) and In Touch Magazine in 2010. Shortly after the Nici suit was brought by Beckham, In Touch denounced the soccer star’s claims. Today, a court threw out Beckham’s lawsuit against In Touch. His suit again Nici will proceed.

Beckham in 2010 brought a $25 million suit against Nici and the publisher of In Touch Magazine. But today a court ruled the published did not act with malice. It remains unclear what proof Beckham had In Touch allegedly acted with malice.

But in 2010 In Touch said it “published its article in complete faith in the accuracy of the story and its reporting.” Beckham has previously said that he told the magazine, prior to publication, that its story was false. But In Touch relied on its sources, not Beckham’s denial. “Notwithstanding Mr. Beckham’s denial, the magazine did not doubt and had no reason to doubt their multiple sources. In Touch is confident that Mr. Beckham’s lawsuit will be dismissed”. That is exactly what the court did today.

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Beckham will reportedly appeal. He previously told news that Nici’s claims were “completely untrue and totally ridiculous, as the magazine [In Touch] was clearly told before publication. Sadly we live in a world where a magazine can print lies and believe they can get away with it.”

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As previously detailed, Nici fled native Bosnia as a youth with her mother, survived an internment camp, and later moved to Holland after receiving asylum and then residency.  She reportedly now lives in Bayswater, Central London.

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LOS ANGELES (LALATE) – Shery Shabani (photos below) denies she had an affair with David Beckham. Shery Shabani was allegedly accused of being David Beckham’s mistress by her husband, attorney Kambiz (Joseph) Shabani, claims British news and court documents.

Shabani has said of the allegations in court documents that she is “falsely accused …. of having an extramarital affair with a celebrity and making degrading statements of her regarding same in front of the minor children. In fact, Respondent [husband]’s ongoing allegations regarding Mr Beckham are part and parcel of Respondent’s delusional thought process. Although Mr Beckham’s children go to the same school as our children, Respondent’s allegations are untrue.”

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She also filed to the court that starting this year “Respondent has accused me of having an affair with David Beckham, often in front of our children. I have repeatedly told him this accusation is untrue. In May 2010, Mr Beckham told me that Respondent had gone to our children’s school and tried to drive Mr Beckham’s car off the road. Mr Beckham advised me his car had nearly crashed as a result.”

Beckham’s rep says of the allegations “As with another recent story, this is another tale full of fantasy. On a serious note, David is naturally focused on the important game against Chivas this Sunday.”

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“JewelryBlogUncovered” says Shabani is the daughter of a diamond polisher and was raised around precious stones. The site calls her stunning jewelry a  mix of modern and vintage.

“Jewel Talk with Janet” said the same of Shery Shabani’s jewelry, calling it luxurious but also a “perfect mix of edge and timelessness”. Words used to describe her pieces include “modern”, “glamorous” and “classic”. In an interview, Shery Shabani told the website that her biggest fear is flying while her favorite celebrity red carpet moment recently was Sarah Jessica Parker in Channel for the Oscars.

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When asked what her favorite piece is, Shery Shabani said “a beautiful pair of turquoise earrings my mother wore on her wedding day. It’s something I can wear and feel a deep connection with at the same time.” Shabani also says she loves everything by Harry Winston. She admits she’s a Facebook fan but doesn’t like Twitter.

Beckham has previously denied allegations by Irma Nici. And while Beckham has previously filed suit against Nici and the publisher of her article, In Touch, that case took a different turn on Friday. Irma Nici is now countersuing Beckham. Her attorney is Paul Rolf Jensen.

Jensen filed a countersuit for emotional and physical injuries as a result of alleged injuries suffered by Nici when she was process served in the Beckham case.”Beckham is responsible for his goon’s conduct, and we will hold him liable for it. California law does not allow public figures like David Beckham to stifle free speech. Maybe he didn’t live here in Los Angeles long enough to learn how precious we here consider our rights to tell the truth in print”.

Nici’s management previously told press “Irma stands by her previous statements. Any lawsuit against her is a publicity stunt and without merit. Any attorney who brings an action against her should be prepared to face sanctions and pay all legal costs because they will lose. “

Beckham has previously denied In Touch and Nici’s allegations calling them “completely untrue and totally ridiculous, as the magazine was clearly told before publication. Sadly we live in a world where a magazine can print lies and believe they can get away with it.”

In Touch has defended their article. “In Touch published its article in complete faith in the accuracy of the story and its reporting. Notwithstanding Mr. Beckham’s denial, the magazine did not doubt and had no reason to doubt their multiple sources. In Touch is confident that Mr. Beckham’s lawsuit will be dismissed”.

Shabani is reportedly 33 and from Beverly Hills. Her court documents were reportedly filed just this August.

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LOS ANGELES (LALATE) – Irma Nezirovic (photos below) faces David Beckham’s assault now in a Los Angeles Superior Court. But Irma Nezirovic, aka Irma Nici, is firing back. Irma is said to have been so popular in recent years that she allegedly attracted even the affections of an Arab royal member. The royal is said to have allegedly lavished Irma with gifts including even a Mercedes.

Irma Nezirovic reportedly fled her native Bosnia as a child with her mother Nadija. By age nine, Irma, her brother and mother reportedly went into an internment camp. Nine months later, Irma is said to have been given asylum in Holland; one year later she was reportedly given Holland residency. Later Irma reportedly move to London where she apparently lived in Bayswater, Central London.

Earlier this month, Irma Nezirovic who now goes by the name of Irmn Nici sold her story to In Touch Magazine. Beckham would deny the allegations in a statement to US Magazine thereafter. This week, Beckham filed suit against Nici and In Touch Magazine.

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Upon news of the suit, In Touch issued the following statement to press: “In Touch published its article in complete faith in the accuracy of the story and its reporting. Notwithstanding Mr. Beckham’s denial, the magazine did not doubt and had no reason to doubt their multiple sources. In Touch is confident that Mr. Beckham’s lawsuit will be dismissed”.

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Nici’s rep issued the following statement: “Any lawsuit against her is a publicity stunt and without merit. We are highly confident that Irma can provide enough detail and other forms of proof to persuade a jury that her tryst with David Beckham  did indeed take place. Mr. Beckham had better be prepared to drop his pants in court if he wants to pursue this matter as he has distinguishing characteristics, which will prove without a doubt that Irma is telling the truth… Mr. Beckham’s baseless lawsuit is understandable- after all he has to tell Posh something.”

Beckham has previously denied In Touch and Nici’s allegations calling them “completely untrue and totally ridiculous, as the magazine was clearly told before publication. Sadly we live in a world where a magazine can print lies and believe they can get away with it.”

For continuing coverage of Irma Nici click here: http://news.lalate.com/category/soccer.

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LOS ANGELES (LALATE) – Irma Nici (photos below) appears, insert, with David Beckham on the new In Touch Magazine. The David Beckham Irman Nici cover reads “Beckham Caught… the ultimate betrayal”. It goes on to claim the caption “I could see why’d he’d be unhappy”.

David Beckham has vehemently denied the allegations. His rep says In Touch Magazine’s allegations are “completely untrue and totally ridiculous, as the magazine was clearly told before publication. Sadly we live in a world where a magazine can print lies and believe they can get away with it.”

The In Touch Magazine allegations come just weeks after fellow soccer star Wayne Rooney has been battling his own allegations from Jennifer Thompson.

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The Rooneys have said of their own matter “It is impossible for us, as it would be for any family, to attempt to resolve any issues in the current media glare and against the backdrop of so many inaccurate and intrusive stories. We would therefore ask that the media now respects our privacy and the right of our family to discuss these matters in private.”

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In 2004, Wayne Rooney, following allegations about Charlotte Glover and Gina McCarrick, reportedly issued a public apology saying he was just “young and immature” at the time.

For continuing coverage of Irma Nici click here: http://news.lalate.com/category/soccer.

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