Shortly after the story was released, Beckham took legal action a few months later. He filed a lawsuit against both Bauer Publishing, the then-publisher of In Touch, and Nici for libel and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The father of four sued the two parties, claiming his innocence. Beckham, who sought $25 million in damages, said it wasn't possible for him to meet up with Nici in London either because he was spending time with his sick father in the hospital.
Within a few months, the court threw out the case, citing Nici's First Amendment right to freedom of speech. The judge also determined that Bauer Publishing and Nici, who described Beckham as a "7.5 out of 10" in bed (via Huffpost), had no malice in printing the story. Additionally, as a public figure, the private life of Beckham was one of interest to the public. Beckham appealed, but the case was eventually thrown out again.
