Rooney slams ‘disgraceful’ reaction to late-night conduct

MANCHESTER, England – Wayne Rooney described the reaction to his late-night conduct on England duty as “disgraceful,” saying the British media is “trying to write my obituary.”

Pictures emerged this week showing Rooney — wearing his England training gear — looking bleary-eyed at a wedding reception at the team’s hotel on Saturday, the day after a World Cup qualifier against Scotland.

Rooney was criticized by the English Football Association chief executive Martin Glenn for not setting the “right tone” as England captain, and he issued an apology to interim England manager Gareth Southgate, the FA, and young fans.

“It feels as if the media are trying to write my obituary and I won’t let that happen,” Rooney said on Saturday after playing for Manchester United in a 1-1 draw against Arsenal in the Premier League. “I love playing for my country and I am proud of my achievements to date. But I have not finished yet.”

Rooney added that “what’s been going on is disgraceful,” saying the treatment shows “a lack of respect” and that “enough is enough.”

Rooney’s conduct has sparked a fresh wave of negative publicity toward a player who has shown erratic behaviour on and off the field earlier in his career. He is England’s all-time leading scorer with 53 goals and has made 119 international appearances, the most for an outfield England player.