Source: Daily_Mail
Rooneys were exploited by agent Paul Stretford, says QC in court battle
Paul Stretford was accused of exploiting Wayne Rooney as the £4.3m court battle involving the Manchester United striker began on Tuesday.[LNB]'Exploited': Rooney[LNB]Rooney and his wife Coleen are being sued by Proactive for the unpaid commission from deals done by his agent Stretford, who quit the company in 2008 and took the couple with him.[LNB]The Rooneys are reported to have described the claim as 'exploitative' and 'financially driven', but Ian Mill QC, acting for Proactive at Manchester Mercantile Court, said: 'If by financially-driven they mean the claimant wishes to recover the substantial sums due to it, I would respectfully agree, but it is hardly a ground for complaint or criticism.[LNB]'Where, I ask rhetorically, is the exploitation? I would respectfully suggest if there is any exploitation it's the exploitation of the Rooneys by Mr Stretford, who has used them to further his dispute with Proactive.'[LNB]The company alleges that Stretford had no right to withhold the commission accrued over the last 15 months because they have an eight-year agreement to handle all Rooney's off-the-field interests. [LNB]Paul Chaisty QC, acting for the Rooneys, claimed the agreement is breakable and also suggested Rooney's parents did not have the benefit of independent legal advice when they signed the Proactive deal on behalf of their teenage son with Stretford more than seven years ago.[LNB]He said: 'His parents are well meaning and devoted, but in matters of commercial negotiation they were, and are now, unsophisticated.'[LNB]The trial continues.[LNB]
