Striker Wayne Rooney, who’s had a very very rough stretch, on both the club and the country level, was snapped at a wedding while on duty with England looking rather inebriated. Actually, he was seemingly totally hammered.
He was described as “too drunk to stand.”
Since these photos came out, we’ve heard from Rooney’s publicist, the Football Association, and even Rooney himself, who issued this statement of apology. Now we hear from Manchester United Manager Jose Mourinho.
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THE SUN FRONT PAGE: 'Don't mess with me Argentina' #skypapers pic.twitter.com/bWTDVNDhkQ
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Mourinho, at his weekly press conference today ahead of tomorrow’s Arsenal clash (you can watch the video over at this link)
Over the last two or three days nothing happened, he trained like everybody else, he wants to play like everybody else, he’s ready. What happened in the national team happened in the national team, I don’t comment.
“My players when they go there belong to the national team and I don’t like to comment.
“Sometimes they come back stronger than when they left us because something good happened there, positive for them, other times injuries, sometimes big injuries, sometimes frustrations because they didn’t play or the result was bad.
“In this case, we knew what didn’t go well but the national team is a different chapter and is closed now until March.”
England beat Scotland 3-0 in World Cup Qualifying, and that led to PARTY TIME! for Wayne Rooney and a few others. These photos emerged from after that game which show Rooney at a hotel joining up a wedding celebration and reportedly staying out until 5 a.m.
The photos inspired this response from an FA spokesperson:
“All England personnel have a responsibility to behave appropriately at all times. We will be reviewing our policy around free time whilst on international duty.”
The statement was reported by Simon Peach of the Press Association. Interim England Manger Gareth Southgate said that Rooney has an injured knee, and has since been returned to Manchester United. Wayne Rooney was not a part of England’s 2-2 draw in their international friendly with Spain.
A spokesman for Rooney said: “Wayne, along with the rest of the England squad, was on a night off duty.
“Rather than going out, he chose to stay at the team hotel to relax and celebrate a fine England victory against Scotland.
“During the course of the evening he was approached by numerous fellow guests for autographs and pictures.
“As he has always been, Wayne was happy to sign, pose for photos and chat with guests.
“It is sad that one or two of them have now sought to turn Wayne’s friendly good nature to their advantage.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication and Bold Global.
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