Ayre is also understood to have said that Liverpool "can do better" and "pledged" to try and do so. He also praised Al Fayed's leadership, thanked him for putting "the best interests of the game" ahead of the dispute, and called him "magnanimous" for withdrawing the complaint.
Despite the apology, and Fulham's confirmation on Wednesday that it has withdrawn its complaint, the Premier League board will still consider the allegation of a rule-breach made by Fulham.
Sources said that despite the settlement between the two clubs the league board will still examine whether an offence was committed by Liverpool, and could still take action.
Liverpool's apology came after lawyers retained by the Premier League began investigating the tapping-up claims. The lawyers interviewed Fulham officials and were in the process of contacting Liverpool executives to arrange interviews when the Merseyside club moved to close down the issue.
The tapping-up charges allegations capped a miserable summer for Liverpool, in which they missed out on Dempsey and other targets, and let £35m striker Andy Carroll move to West Ham on loan despite not having a replacement on the books.
The window increased concerns over FSG's stewardship of the club, though a recent improvement in results under Brendan Rodgers has made for a more positive atmosphere at Anfield.
In a statement Fulham's confirmed that they had accepted Liverpool's apology: "Fulham can confirm that it has today withdrawn the complaint made against Liverpool FC in regard to the Merseyside club's inappropriate actions surrounding interest in Clint Dempsey over the summer.
"Liverpool's chairman Tom Werner apologised personally to Mohamed Al Fayed, stating that his club were wholly responsible for unprofessional behaviour toward Fulham and emphasised his regret for the entire episode.
"In a letter from Liverpool to Fulham's CEO Alistair Mackintosh, Tom Werner's praise of the magnanimous gesture from the chairman was reiterated, as was the club's assurance that the conduct of Liverpool was simply not acceptable.
"The chairman decided that this sincere action was enough, and as a gesture of goodwill, instructed that all complaints against them be dropped."
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