A high profile legal battle between two former executives of the Grasshoppers Zurich football club has come to an end, after millionaire backer Werner H Spross and ex finance chief Andres Schenker agreed on a settlement.

During a district court hearing in Zurich Spross apologised to Schenker over comments which Spross had made in his autobiography "Mein Weg nach ganz oben" ("My way to the very top").

The millionaire horticulturalist made a number of clear references to Schenker in his book, although never identifying him by name. Spross wrote that Schenker had been "the worst kind of profiteer". He also accused Schenker of manipulating the club's financial figures.

After reading the comments Schenker took out a provisional injunction, which was then endorsed by the federal court.

As well as preventing sales of the book, Schenker's action against Spross included claims that the financier had slandered him and breached previous injunctions.

Following news of Wednesday's agreement Schenker refused to say if he had received financial compensation from Spross.

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