Wayne Rooney has been forced to apologise as photos of him supposedly gatecrashing a wedding after England duty were splashed across the front of The Sun.
The England captain was photographed at a wedding party at the Grove Hotel on his night off after the Scotland win.
The Sun alleges that Rooney turned up at the event with his England training gear and claim that he was worse for wear.
Wednesday's Sun front page:
Don't mess with me Argentina#tomorrowspaperstoday #bbcpapers pic.twitter.com/Ojhfba5bkJ— Nick Sutton (@suttonnick) November 15, 2016
Manchester United talisman Rooney wasn’t selected for the Spain friendly due to a knee injury, but the pictures have caused some concern for the FA.
Not in the slightest bit surprised Wayne Rooney turned up to a wedding in an England kit pic.twitter.com/c2Hwae5S8H
— Reigning and Defending (@SproIes) November 15, 2016
A statement from Rooney’s representatives said that the striker wants to apologise unreservedly:
”Naturally Wayne is sorry that pictures taken with fans have been published.
”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 [FA technical director] Dan Ashworth to unreservedly apologise.
”He would like to further extend that apology to any young fans who have seen these pictures.”
The FA don’t appear happy about the issue and they are not looking at reviewing the players’ right to overnight free time, which has been in place for the past four year.
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.”
Fans on Twitter appeared to be siding with Rooney on the matter though…
Rooney apologising?! At worst daft, at best he made someone's wedding. Real sadness is people can't wait to run to the papers for 20 quid.
— Jake Humphrey (@mrjakehumphrey) November 16, 2016
#Rooney is having fun at a wedding? Ban him. Punish him. And yet giving a terminally ill child his #England shirt and gets little press?
— Craig White (@Notsoheavyhero) November 16, 2016
https://twitter.com/AdamMossy/status/798968207080095744
https://twitter.com/ndypartington/status/798967253496537088
I can't believe Rooney was pictured socialising with wedding guests after a game he played no role in. Unbelievable. What a complete bastard
— Jason Luciano (@j_Luchiee25) November 16, 2016
After all that's happened in 2016 can we really think about whether Rooney being at a wedding is worth getting upset over? #getafuckinggrip
— Matt Taylor (@johnny_columbia) November 16, 2016
So what who genuinely gives one about Rooney being at a wedding on a day off, football media is a total farce
— Reubs (@reubenoconnell) November 16, 2016
If Wayne Rooney turned up to my wedding I'd have been over the moon.. why does he need to apologise? The things people do for £20..
— Dan Carter (@DanielMKCarter) November 16, 2016
Leave Rooney alone for christ sake. The lad can go to a wedding if he wants to.
— Robbie Jay Barratt (@RobbieJBarratt) November 16, 2016
