Former England football team skipper and Manchester United star Wayne Rooney found himself on the wrong side of the football field ahead of Christmas last month when he was arrested at Dulles Airport outside Washington DC for public intoxication.
The former English footballer was arrested at an international arrivals gate at Dulles and was booked in the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center on December 16, on a charge of public intoxication by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police, the local sheriff’s office said.
Rooney was arrested at an international arrivals gate at Dulles and was booked in the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center on December 16, on a charge of public intoxication by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police. (Photo: The Sun)
Rooney, who signed for Major League Soccer side DC United last year on a three-year deal, set off a security door alarm at a US airport after consuming booze and sleeping pill mix leaving him “disoriented”. The striker received a $25 fine and $91 costs for the trouble.
As per the reports in The Sun Rooney’s spokesperson released a statement which read, “Wayne Rooney was arrested and detained at Dulles airport following a long flight from Saudi Arabia after a one-day promotional business trip.
“During the flight Wayne took a prescribed amount of sleeping tablets mixed with some alcohol consumption and consequently was disorientated on arrival.
Wayne Rooney triggered a door alarm before being arrested over “public swearing and intoxication” on December 16. (Photo: AFP)
“He was approached by police who arrested him on a minor misdemeanour charge.
“He received a statutory automatic fine and was released shortly afterwards at the airport. The matter is now at an end.
“Wayne would like to put on record his appreciation for the manner he was treated by all involved.”
A statement from DC United said: “We are aware of news reports indicating that Wayne Rooney was arrested in December.
“We understand the media’s interest in this matter but we believe this is a private matter for Wayne that DC United will handle internally. We have no further comment on this situation.”
Rooney burst onto English football scene when he made his Premier League debut for Everton at age 16. He was signed by Manchester United for $35 million in 2004 and played in the club for 13 seasons. His trophy cabinet includes five English titles, one Champions League, one FA Cup, and three League Cups. He also became the all-time leading scorer for the Red Devils with 253 goals.
In his international career, Rooney won 119 caps for England and broke Manchester United great Bobby Charlton’s England goalscoring record (49 goals) in 2015, ending his international career with 53 goals.
