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West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has accepted substantial damages from Steve Kean over claims he was sacked by Blackburn because he was a "crook".

Allardyce's solicitor said Kean accepted the allegation was completely untrue, withdrew it, and agreed to pay an undisclosed sum.

Kean, who replaced Allardyce at Ewood Park in December 2010, made the remarks on a tour of Hong Kong in 2011.

Blackburn have already made an apology to Allardyce.

Blackburn bosses post Allardyce Steve Kean - December 2010-September 2012 Eric Black - caretaker, September 2012-October 2012 Henning Berg - October 2012-December 2012 Gary Bowyer - caretaker, December 2012-January 2013 Michael Appleton - January 2013 to present

Allardyce's solicitor, Hanna Basha, told the High Court that the "false and defamatory" allegation was made while Kean was drinking in a bar.

Kean's comments were recorded on video, posted on YouTube and reported in national newspapers.

Kean's counsel, John Mehrzad, offered his apologies for the hurt and distress caused and said he was pleased to set the record straight.

Blackburn had settled their dispute with Allardyce on 8 January and were not a party to Wednesday's statement in court.

The Championship club said in a statement external-link on their website at the time: "Mr Kean was in a bar and falsely alleged that Sam Allardyce was sacked because he was a crook.

"This is completely false and we apologise to Mr Allardyce for the embarrassment and distress caused."