Internet Desk: England captain Wayne Rooney may face the axe in Saturday’s Premier League clash against Arsenal on Saturday. Rooney was pictured looking dazed with wine-stained lips, at a wedding party posing with guests, including one woman wearing his England training top.
According to a report by The Sun, the England skipper was partying into the night after the 3-0 win over Scotland at Wembley on November 12.
The striker was later dropped from the England squad for the friendly against Spain on November 15 after the pictures were leaked. The explanation given by the England team management was that he had a “minor knee injury”.
According to reports, Manchester United coach Jose Mourinho may drop his captain for Saturday’s all important clash against Arsenal. Marcus Rashford is likely to take his place.
Rooney was also photographed on the piano at the five-star Grove Hotel, but one witness said ‘he was just mashing the keys so you couldn’t really make out a tune’.
England players are often allowed to leave the team’s headquarters during training camps to ensure individuals can enjoy some down time before fixtures — but that protocol has now been quashed as a result of last weekend’s partying.
The England captain did seek an unconditional apology for his behaviour. ‘Naturally Wayne is sorry that pictures taken with fans have been published today,’ said a spokesman for Rooney.
‘Although it was a day off for the whole squad and staff, he fully recognises that the images are inappropriate for someone in his position. Earlier today Wayne spoke privately to both Gareth Southgate and Dan Ashworth to unreservedly apologise.
‘He would like to further extend that apology to any young fans who have seen those pictures.’
The FA stopped short of stripping Rooney of the England captaincy or issuing him with a formal warning. But he was warned about his future conduct in no uncertain terms during a phone call with Ashworth, the FA’s head of elite development.