Rooney threatens the FA!

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Furious Rooney in threat to FA
James Robinson and Denis Campbell
Sunday August 20, 2006
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.'

The threat by England's most marketable player is a direct challenge to the authority of the FA and presents Barwick with a serious problem. While Rooney is free to play against Fulham at Old Trafford today, he is due to miss Wednesday's visit to Charlton and games against Watford and Tottenham. United's player of the year last season was sent off against Porto on 4 August in the Amsterdam tournament for a challenge on Pepe Ferreira.

Some will see the letter as evidence that a key player is trying to use his status to get special treatment. Others will view Rooney as unfortunate to be facing a domestic ban for an incident in a pre-season non-competitive fixture.

One source close to the player said the letter may prove counter-productive and lead to claims that he wants to be treated differently from other players. United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and club chief executive David Gill are said to be aware of Rooney's dramatic move.

Unless the player's letter prompts a rethink by the FA, he will not be free to play again after today until United's Premiership match at home to Arsenal on 17 September because he is suspended for England's first two Euro 2008 qualifiers - against Andorra and Macedonia on 2 and 6 September respectively - for the red card he received in the World Cup quarter-final defeat by Portugal in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, last month.

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.

With United playing at The Valley on Wednesday, the FA will have to act quickly to address Rooney's complaint.

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What a spudfaced primadonna! It's three games in what will be a long career I'm sure - his advisors must be crap.