Rooney to bow out against US at Wembley farewell tie

Wayne Rooney says he is honoured to make a final appearance for England and happy for manager Gareth Southgate to decide his playing time Thursday against the United States at Wembley Stadium. “Playing on the squad for this game and see some old teammates, see Gareth and the coaching staff, and then obviously to play at Wembley for the last time will be a great moment,” Rooney said. “I have to admit I don’t know how much I’m going to play, whether that’s from the start or whether that’s the last few minutes,” Rooney said. “I’ll speak to Gareth before we meet up. Whatever he wants me then to play I’m happy to do so.”

FA TO PROBE PEP

Lionel Messi collected the Trofeo Di Stefano for the La Liga player of 2017-18. The Barcelona superstar received the award from Spanish sports newspaper Marca on Monday, while also being presented with the Trofeo Pichichi for his 34-goal haul last season. Messi took his LaLiga tally for 2018-19 to nine with a double in Barca’s surprise 4-3 loss at home to Real Betis on Sunday.

STURRIDGE CHARGED

LONDON: Liverpool striker Dan- iel Sturridge could be facing a ban after being charged on Monday with breaching rules on betting. FA said the alleged breaches took place in January 2018, when Sturridge was on loan from Liverpool at West Bromwich Albion. Liverpool reacted by saying the 29-year-old Sturridge has “stated categorically that he has never gambled on football.”

FOOTBALLER SHOT AT

Deportivo Cali defender Juan Quintero escaped injury when his car was shot at after the Colombian team failed to make the first division playoffs. Quintero was in a car with his brother following the game against Pasto when two men on a motorcycle sprayed his car with bullets, he told Colombian reporters. “I was driving with my brother when I felt someone knocking on the car window and I saw a gun pointing at me,” the 23-year-old said.