LONDON – Model Naomi Campbell has accepted libel damages from a British newspaper over a story that falsely claimed she planned to organize an elephant polo match in India for her partner’s birthday.

The November article in the Daily Telegraph said Campbell planned the tournament in Jodhpur for partner Vladimir Doronin’s 50th birthday, and included criticisms from animal-welfare activists.

Campbell’s lawyer Gideon Benaim said Thursday that the story was “simply false and the criticisms unfounded.”

The 42-year-old said in a statement that the allegations should never have been published. But she said she was “glad that the matter has been resolved and I accept the newspaper’s apology.”

The amount of the damages, described as “substantial,” was not disclosed.