Wayne Rooney has condemned his treatment as “disgraceful” and says he has been shown a lack of respect after the publication of photographs that showed him out late when on England duty.
The pictures were printed by a national newspaper after Rooney joined a wedding party following England’s World Cup qualifying victory against Scotland. It was reported that the England captain was out socialising until the early hours of last Sunday morning and the fallout rumbled along all last week, drawing negative headlines and comment. The 31-year-old later offered an unconditional apology for the “inappropriate” images but he has been the subject of widespread criticism both on social media and in print.
The Manchester United captain clearly has had enough and yesterday hit out in strident terms at what he believes is unfair treatment.
“What’s been going on is disgraceful,” he said in the immediate aftermath of United’s 1-1 draw against Arsenal.
“I’m proud to play for my country and I’m proud of my achievements. It’s not finished yet. I think what’s been going on is disgraceful. It shows a lack of respect and I think enough is enough. That’s all I want to say.”
He went on: “Enough is enough. It feels as if the media are trying to write my obituary and I won’t let that happen. I love playing for my country and I am proud of my achievements to date – but I have not finished yet.”
José Mourinho, his manager, defended Rooney on Friday and blamed Gareth Southgate, the interim England manager, for not protecting him. “The only thing I say is the player goes to the national team, he belongs to the national team. I learned since I was a kid, if someone lends me something I have to take care of it even better than if it was mine.”
