Rooney apologises for ‘inappropriate’ antics

Captain allegedly worse for wear at hotel wedding party

England captain Wayne Rooney has “unreservedly” apologised to interim manager Gareth Southgate, the Football Association and young fans following the emergence of “inappropriate” images from the weekend.

The 31-year-old regained his place in the Three Lions’ starting line-up last Friday, when he helped secure a 3-0 win against Scotland in a crucial World Cup qualifier at Wembley.

A minor knee injury saw Rooney withdraw from the squad on the eve of Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with Spain, with Southgate forced to deny the absence was anything to do with images that emerged from the Grove hotel on Saturday night.

The Sun alleged that Rooney dropped in on a wedding party, with the paper printing a photo appearing to show the Manchester United forward, sporting an England training top, looking the worse for wear.

The FA is to review players’ free time as a result of an incident that led Rooney to apologise in private to interim boss Southgate and the governing body’s technical director Dan Ashworth.

In a statement issued on Rooney’s behalf, the player’s spokesperson said: “Naturally Wayne is sorry that pictures taken with fans have been published today.

“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 these pictures.”

It is understood that figures within the FA were disappointed by the incident, with all those involved that evening being spoken to.

The players’ code of conduct is still in place and any repercussions will be dealt with internally, although the governing body has confirmed that overnight free time, which has been in place for a number of years, will be reviewed.

An FA spokesperson said: “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.”

Rooney dropped to the bench in last month’s qualifier in Slovenia, but returned to the starting line-up as Scotland were beaten at Wembley.

What Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho thinks about the matter will become clear when he addresses the media tomorrow ahead of the Premier League clash with Arsenal.

Rooney has endured a tough campaign, fighting for his place in the team.

The 31-year-old ended his goal drought in the recent Europa League clash at Fenerbahce and impressed as United headed into the international break with a 3-1 win at Swansea.

United return to action on Saturday lunchtime against Arsenal, before hosting Feyenoord in the Europa League.

Picture: Getty. Wayne Rooney: spoke to Gareth Southgate and FA technical director Dan Ashworth.

England’s interim manager Gareth Southgate was forced to deny that Rooney’s absence from the squad for the friendly with Spain on Tuesday was down to the photo that emerged from the weekend party.