Wayne’s ‘Mrs Manager’ behind Euros claims, Vardys’ texts suggest

REBEKAH VARDY blamed Wayne Rooney’s “Mrs Manager” for claims about her role in the Euro 2016 tournament, a string of messages in the “Wagatha Christie” libel trial suggest.

The two footballers’ wives have been in court for the past two weeks after Mrs Vardy, wife of Leicester striker Jamie Vardy, sued Mrs Rooney, wife of Derby manager Wayne Rooney, for libel over a social media post which accused her of leaking stories to the media.

Yesterday, evidence was released including previously unseen photographs of the Rooneys, and Whatsapp messages between Mrs Vardy and her husband where she appeared to blame her rival for claims she was causing problems at the 2016 Euros. In June 2016, Mrs Vardy sent a screenshot to her husband of an article which claimed Mr Rooney, who was then the England captain, had to ask Mr Vardy “to make sure her wife lowers her social media profile during Euros”.

Commenting on the origin of the article, Mrs Vardy said: “Jesus… This must have come from somewhere! Bet it’s his Mrs Manager.”

Mr Vardy, who did not give evidence under oath in the trial, denied such a discussion with Mr Rooney had taken place, telling his wife that “not a word was said”.

Mrs Vardy replied by saying the article “makes my blood boil”.

The messages come after Mr Rooney took to the stand on Tuesday and told the court that he had been tasked by Roy Hodgson, the England manager, with the “awkward” job of telling Mr Vardy that his wife, Rebekah, was causing “problems and distractions” for the England team because of her love of the limelight.

Mr Rooney told the court: “They asked me as captain if I would be able to speak to Mr Vardy on issues regarding his wife. I think we all knew it was an awkward subject.

“I spoke to Mr Vardy and asked him to speak to his wife, to ask his wife to calm down and not bring any issues that were off the field.”

When cross-examined by Mrs Vardy’s barrister about the reliability of his claims, Mr Rooney said: “I’m sat here under oath. I 100 per cent spoke to Mr Vardy. If he wants to speak to his wife and relay it back to her, that’s his business.”

Pictures from Mrs Rooney’s private Instagram were also released in the bundle of evidence, including a post from Oct 31 2017 of Mr Rooney and three of their sons in pyjamas in bed.

Mrs Rooney said she made a “conscious decision” not to upload the photograph with him to her public Instagram account because of “the difficulties between us at the time”.

On the public account, Mrs Rooney posted a photo of herself with her sons Kai, Klay and Kit. However, a few days later, a story appeared in The Sun clearly based on the private image featuring her husband.

Mrs Rooney then wrote on her account: “The GRASS strikes again !!!! I put that picture on wondering if it would appear in that horrible newspaper.” Mrs Justice Steyn finished hearing legal arguments in the case on Thursday. She will hand down her judgment at a later date.

‘I 100 per cent spoke to Mr Vardy. If he wants to speak to his wife and relay it back to her, that’s his business’