Rooney Latest.

[redrus]

Rooney says he tried to get Ronaldo carded.

"I won't deny that I was disappointed that Cristiano ran over to the referee that night but other players ran over too and at the end of the day we weren't teammates that night - we were rivals.

"A lot of players ran over and even if you look at the game in the first half I was trying to get him booked for diving - but people probably haven't seen that.

"We spoke on the night and he said he hadn't run over to deliberately to get me sent off.

"I told him not to worry about it and things between us have been fine since then. He's a good friend of mine."

redrus

[redrus]

Seems that he may not do any commercial England stuff unless his ban is quashed.

The Observer:

Wayne Rooney has issued an extraordinary warning to the FA that he will reduce his role with the England team unless they review their three-match ban imposed for his latest sending-off.

In an unprecedented move, the Manchester United striker has told the FA that he will stop co-operating with their money-making activities around the England team - such as personal appearances for sponsors - unless they rethink the suspension handed down last week for the red card he received for violent conduct in a pre-season friendly.

In a letter to FA chief executive Brian Barwick on Rooney's behalf, the player's agent, Paul Stretford, wrote: 'I am writing on behalf of my client to express his utter dismay at the decision' not to overturn the ban. Rooney 'feels extremely let down by the FA on this matter', added Stretford.

The letter then said: 'While he will continue if selected to play for his country with the pride and commitment, he is considering withdrawing his support for the FA's commercial programme: in other words he will not allow his image to be used or exploited, or participate in personal appearances for and on behalf of the FA's commercial partners, unless he is satisfied with how the FA conducts its affairs in regard to player matters.

'It is our intention to seek further counsel and I will notify you of the final decision shortly.'

In a separate move, Gill has written to Barwick contesting Rooney's ban. Gill claims that it is inconsistent to punish Rooney when neither Liverpool's Neil Mellor, who was sent off against Galatasaray in the Amsterdam tournament in 2003, nor Sheffield United's Ade Akinbiyi, who was sent off against Sparta Rotterdam in the Netherlands the day after Rooney, received any ban. Gill wants the FA to show consistency and withdraw the three-match suspension. Paul Scholes, who was also sent off against Porto, received the same ban as Rooney.

Rooney quote:

"I'm gutted with that decision.

"I'm extremely disappointed to miss any games over that. It was the wrong decision to send me off.

"I never want to miss a game and certainly not for a harsh decision like that.

"You only have to look at the video to see I only had eyes for the ball."

"Unfortunately football is getting more and more where you cannot touch an opponent.

"You see red cards now that would not even be fouls in years gone by.

"It's disappointing the way it has gone but you have to get on with it. The way I play football will not change. I'm determined. I want to win every ball and every challenge I go into."

The Observer:

The essential difference between Rooney's treatment and that of Gerrard was that the Liverpool player was sent off for two yellow cards and FA regulations do not demand a first-team suspension in such a case. However, Neil Mellor was sent off for violent conduct in the same game and escaped because, unlike this time, the Dutch referee did not send in a report. The blame for inconsistency here might lie mostly with the Dutch, though clearly had the FA been so minded they could have used the precedent to take a more relaxed view about Rooney's dismissal in a friendly. Instead the referee's report was passed to the disciplinary department, which set a train of events in motion.

When United appealed against the red card for violent conduct and the ban that would inevitably follow, a disciplinary committee was set up. McClaren is not fibbing when he says he has no idea who arrived at the decision to uphold the violent conduct charge and confirm a three-match ban, because very few people do know. The disciplinary department prides itself on the anonymity and complete independence of its procedures. All that can safely be said is that the decision to uphold Rooney's suspension for violent conduct, not one that was persuasively supported by the video evidence, would have been arrived at by three or four people. At least one of member of the committee would have been an ex-player or referee, but others might have no involvement at all with the professional game.

Imagine having to explain that to an irate Ferguson. Common sense and unofficial practice around the world demands that the spirit of pre-season friendlies should apply to their disciplinary complications as well. Having a leading player miss three of his club's first four matches because of a reckless moment in a warm-up game is ludicrous. It would not happen in too many other countries. No one is suggesting Rooney is innocent or that rules should be bent to favour big clubs like United, but Fergie was within his rights to expect some sort of compromise.

redrus

[Jockstar]

Rooney threatens sponsor strike over FA ban

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has threatened to withdraw all co-operation with the Football Association's commercial programmes in response to the three-match ban he was handed last week.

Despite United claiming they were informed Rooney would escape punishment following his red card against Porto in the recent Amsterdam tournament, the striker must sit out the Premiership encounters with Charlton, Watford and Tottenham.

An independent three-man disciplinary panel backed up the view of referee Ruud Bossen that Rooney deserved to be dismissed for his aerial challenge on Porto defender Pepe, even though the TV replays showed the striker clearly keep his eye on the ball as he jumped.

The verdict drew an angry response from United, with skipper Gary Neville describing it as `shocking', while new England coach Steve McClaren has declared it `unhelpful' as he tries to foster relations with the Premiership's major clubs.

Now, having taken legal advice, Rooney has hit back. And, in a letter to FA chief executive Brian Barwick, issued by his advisor Paul Stretford, copied to United counterpart David Gill and which McClaren was informed of on Friday, the 20-year-old is threatening not to allow his image to be used as part of any promotional campaign, or get involved in commercial events with FA partners.

'Strong representation has been made to the FA regarding the imposition of this three-match ban, which Wayne Rooney feels strongly is entirely unjustified,' a spokesman for Rooney confirmed to PA Sport.

In the letter, Stretford expresses 'Wayne's complete dismay' at the decision, adding that Rooney feels `extremely let down'.

'While he will continue if selected to play for his country with pride and commitment, he is considering withdrawing his support for the FA's commercial programme: in other words, he will not allow his image to be used or exploited, or participate in personal appearances for and on behalf of the FA's commercial partners unless he is satisfied with how the FA conducts its affairs in regard to player matters.'

Rooney is now awaiting a reply to the letter before deciding on his next course of action.

Although it would appear there is no imminent problem given the striker is suspended for next month's Euro 2008 qualifiers against Andorra and Macedonia, the FA's marketing arm will be making plans to promote the Old Trafford encounter with Macedonia on October 7.

With former skipper David Beckham not part of McClaren's plans, Rooney is now by far the most recognisable member of the England fold.

It would be safe to assume the FA planned to use Rooney's picture in their plans to sell tickets for the Macedonia clash.

However, until the present dispute is resolved, they will be unable to do so and neither will the FA be able to plan any commercial campaigns around him.

[redrus]

From The Times

The Football Association (scouse <deleted>-one rule for one) say they cannot overturn Wayne Rooney's three-match ban despite the England striker's extraordinary threat to withdraw his support for the governing body's multi-million pound commercial activities.

In an unprecedented move Rooney's agent, Paul Stretford, has written to the FA chief executive Brian toss-pot Barwick warning him that the Manchester United star will not allow them to use his image or make him available to their sponsors unless they change their disciplinary procedures. He is also calling for closer relations between the FA and the country's top players.

A four-man disciplinary commission ruled last week that referee Ruud Bossen got it right when he dismissed Rooney for catching defender Pepe in the face with his arm during a pre-season friendly against Porto in Amsterdam on Aug 4.

Rooney was so incensed by the decision that he sanctioned Stretford to write to Barwick outlining his "utter dismay" at the panel's failure to reverse the ban.

An FA spokesman said: "As far as our disciplinary regulations are concerned, there is no further appeals process that would enable the ban to be overturned." That leaves Rooney and United on a collision course with the FA, although the player and his agent have ruled out the possibility of him refusing to play for the England team.

United chief executive David Gill has also written to Barwick contesting the ban. The club are even thought to be considering a possible legal challenge. The new club versus country row comes just two months after the World Cup stand-off between United and the FA over Rooney's broken foot.

A spokesman for Rooney said last night: "It's our hope that this will lead to much better dialogue should these matters arise again in future.

"Maybe it could be the sort of dialogue that was maintained on a day-to-day basis by both sides when the FA were so keen to get Wayne to the World Cup for England. We are now waiting for the FA's response."

redrus

[redrus]

Rooney's form should be put in perspective.

The Times:

They will have loved this, the naysayers and knee-jerk merchants who peddle the fallacy that Wayne Rooney is a burnt-out talent.

Again he did not score, once more he was short on magic, best of all he was substituted when his country needed saviours. Redemption beckoned in the second half when Rooney killed Peter Crouch’s pass and volleyed for goal from spitting range. Yet Jane Nikoloski, chief among Macedonia’s heroes, saved. It was Jane’s day, not Wayne’s. It hasn’t been for a while.

But heroes who have delivered deserve the payback of faith. Five indifferent games for Manchester United have not made Rooney a fallen prince. But you wonder what nonsense the doubters will summon next. One supposedly sensible newspaper offered space to a novelist who suggested that because last week Rooney grew a George Best-like beard, ergo he must be about to go off the same set of rails. Scientific stuff.

The idea of Rooney in crisis should be taken no more seriously than as an example of this dire Fleet Street tradition: the scare story. He’s young, had a bad injury and a long suspension, and was playing quite brilliantly as recently as six games ago, on the first day of the season versus Fulham.

Critics twitter about him not scoring for England since Euro 2004 — in competitive games, thereby ignoring two virtuoso goals in friendlies against Argentina and Denmark. The scoreless sequence includes the World Cup where, until his red card, his contribution so early into his rehabilitation from a broken foot was heroic. The other matches involved, until yesterday, were seven World Cup qualifiers. In two of those games Rooney hit the post, in another he forced an own goal by Northern Ireland with a bit of skill, he was man of the match three times. Twelve months ago he played so well against Poland that Zico likened him to Pele. So there it is: Rooney’s "decline"

redrus

[redrus]

IT'S THE FA'S FAULT

By Ed

They have ruined Rooney's season.

Wayne Rooney has blamed the FA for his poor form this season after being given a ban for his sending off in Amsterdam.

"It was hard to take," explained Rooney to the Daily Mirror.

"The FA made their decision and it was very nice of them to support me with a three-game ban. Four, if you think that I missed the Ajax friendly too.

"I don't want to say too much, but I didn't even think it was a red card, so I was devastated about it, especially because the start to the season is so important.

"What made it worse was that my United ban meant I missed a month of football."

Meanwhile Peter Crouch thinks Rooney’s form could benefit from the international games.

"I think at times when it is not going for you at club level or what have you it is nice to get away for a fresh start again and he has looked lively in training and I'm sure he will be right come the game."

However it didn't stop him moaning about Rooney possibly taking his place in the team.

"I'm not sure, if the manager is saying that [Rooney is an automatic choice], I think maybe for this game it could be [disheartening]," Crouch added

redrus

[redrus]

SPACE, SERVICE AND AN IDIOT

Tuesday 10th October 2006

Rooney's form is still the hot topic.

Gary Neville has been left to answer questions on Wayne Rooney's form again ahead of the international game on Wednesday.

"There was not a lot of space and service for Wayne to feed upon against Macedonia - but that will come.

"We need to improve on Wednesday in Croatia and get some better service into the front players and, with that better service, Crouchy and Wayne will do well.

"Wayne will come good. He is a fighter. He gives 100% every game. He's such an exciting player. Let's look forward to seeing him playing. That's the way I would always look at Wayne Rooney."

Meanwhile Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has blamed Sven Goran Eriksson for Rooney's poor form. From the Sun:

“That manager we had absolutely killed him. You just hope his enthusiasm hasn’t been killed by that idiot.

“I watched the Portugal game in the World Cup and felt so sorry for him. That bugger played him up front on his own and he so wanted to do well but was desperate.

“He was fighting like hel_l for the ball but they had two men on him and that was it, game over.

“Then he got sent off but that was because he was fighting and running so much.

“Rooney was pulling his guts out for England but the previous manager killed him stone dead. I just felt so very sorry for him.”

redrus

[redrus]

Happy Birthday young un, here's to many more....

Once a blue always a red............

KEY TO THE DOOR

Ferguson marvels as Rooney comes of age today.

"When we signed him at 18, everyone said what will he be like at 21. Now he is 21 people say what will he be like at 25.

"It was always destined to be that way I guess because Wayne is truly blessed.

"He doesn't just have ability, he has a fire inside him, like a lot of young lads who have come into our team.

"Ryan Giggs was the same. But whereas Ryan was only a slip of a lad when he came into the side at 16, we have never needed to nurse Wayne because he has such a phenomenal physique.

"His enthusiasm is an inspiration to everybody.

"I don't leave him out too much now because when I have he has generally had a face like fizz. That is the kind of character he is.

"He demonstrates that great hunger and desire all the time. Without doubt, he is the best 21-year-old I have ever had."

redrus

Edited October 24, 2006 by redrus

[dantilley]

Well, I think we can safely say he's back in business again...

[ThaiPauly]

Well, I think we can safely say he's back in business again...

...and in some style as well

[redrus]

Well, I think we can safely say he's back in business again...

...and in some style as well

Seriously though, did anyone out there really doubt him.....?

redrus

[redrus]

Rooney admits it's great to be back

Teamtalk.com

Wayne Rooney provided himself with the best belated 21st birthday present imaginable at The Reebok and declared: "It's good to be back".

After 10 games without a goal, the Manchester United striker hit form against Bolton, scoring twice in the opening 15 minutes before completing his first Premiership hat-trick to seal a 4-0 rout late on.

It was Rooney's first three-timer of any description since his debut-day exploits against Fenerbahce over two years ago and the match ball will no doubt eclipse any of the expensive presents he received on Tuesday, as well as silencing the doubters who condemned him for his lack of recent firepower.

"There has been a lot of talk by a lot of people over the last few weeks saying I couldn't do it any more, stuff like that, so the feeling when the first goal went in was brilliant," he said.

"Although I am not too worried about not scoring as long as we get the result, it was a relief, especially as I had gone such a long time without scoring.

"To finish the hat-trick was nice. I am delighted and happy just to be back amongst the goals again and to have secured the three points in what was a big game for us. I'm really proud and happy with the performance."

Sir Alex Ferguson suggested on Friday the end of Rooney's goal drought was imminent and so it proved.

There were just 10 minutes on the clock when Michael Carrick lofted a superb pass beyond the Bolton defence.

If Rooney was feeling an anxiety it did not show as he allowed the ball to bounce twice before sending a left-foot volley flying past Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Rooney beat the Bolton keeper again five minutes later with a precise finish, before collecting Darren Fletcher's pass to complete his hat-trick in the final stages.

It set the seal on a fabulous performance from the Red Devils, which saw them oust Chelsea from the Premiership summit after Jose Mourinho's side defeated Sheffield United earlier in the day.

"The football in the first 20 minutes was probably the best we have played as team all season," said Rooney.

"We opened Bolton up and got in behind them and created a lot of chances.

"We wanted to set a quick tempo, we knew Bolton were a difficult team to play against and we wanted a goal in the first half to hold onto. We did that and managed to get a few more as well.

"We'd heard the Bolton players saying they hadn't conceded a goal at home and that gave us more motivation to get the win.

"We were aware of the Chelsea result but it is still early days in terms of the title. Hopefully we can keep winning our games and concentrating on ourselves."

redrus