Source: Daily_Mail
Wayne Rooney dad, Motherwell player arrested over spot-fixing
Manchester United and England star Wayne Rooney has been rocked by the news his father and uncle are among nine people arrested by police investigating a football betting scam.[LNB]The officers swooped at dawn on the ?450,000 home of Wayne Snr while his son was in Montenegro with the national team as they bid to secure a place in Euro 2012.[LNB]Manager Fabio Capello insisted Rooney had not been upset by his father's arrest.[LNB] Coleen, Wayne and Wayne Rooney Snr[LNB] [LNB] Looking relaxed: England's Wayne Rooney during a training session at the City Stadium in Podgorica, Montenegro, today[LNB] 'I found him relaxed and calm,' Capello said. 'There is no problem for the game, he will play against Montenegro. He told me there are no problems.'[LNB] The police are probing a rash of suspicious bets placed on a sending-off in a SPL match last year.[LNB]The investigation centres on the red card given to Motherwell's Steve Jennings in a match against Hearts 10 months ago.[LNB]The former Tranmere Rovers player, who hails from Kirkby, near Liverpool, was arrested at his home in Scotland.[LNB]The investigation comes at a bad timefor Rooney, who has been working to clean up his image following damaging revelations about his private life.[LNB]It emerged that the ?180,000-a-week Manchester United star had slept with prostitutes while his wife, Coleen, was pregnant.[LNB] On duty: Wayne Rooney (centre) trained today with Phil Jones and Danny Welbeck (left) while his father was questioned[LNB] [LNB] Steve Jennings was arrested after allegedly getting himself sent off deliberately during a match[LNB] But Rooney's estranged cousin Stephen, 27, a homosexual and cross dresser, said the arrests were 'embarrassing'.[LNB]'It's hysterical, but I'm quite surprised it's just the two,' he said. 'And they have the cheek to tell me that putting a dress on is embarrassing for the family.'[LNB]A spokesman for Merseyside Police confirmed nine men, aged between 22 and 68, had been arrested in Liverpool and Glasgow on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud as part of ajoint operation with the Gambling Commission into suspicious betting.[LNB] Wayne Rooney Snr, footballer Wayne's father, is one of the nine people being questioned over an alleged betting scam[LNB] [LNB] [LNB] There was no sign yesterday of unemployed Wayne Snr, a 48-year-old former boxer, at the home he shares with Rooney's mother, Jeanette, in West Derby, Liverpool.[LNB][LNB]Anthony Barnfather, the lawyer representing him, said: 'Mr Rooney vigorously denies all of these allegations. We are co-operating fully with the investigation. No further comment will be made at this time.'[LNB]Neighbours at 54-year-old Richie Rooney's home, in Croxteth, Liverpool, confirmed a police car had been parked outside the modest semi in the early hours. He refused to commentwhen he returned home on bail yesterday afternoon.[LNB] Members of the Press soon arrived outside the house of Wayne Rooney snr this afternoon[LNB][LNB] He spent 20 minutes inside before being driven off in a Ford Focus by his daughter, Claire. One visitor, who described himself as a member of the family, said: 'He doesn't know anything about all this.' [LNB]England captain John Terry, who has experienced media attention on his own family, also backed Rooney. 'Wayne is focused on the game tomorrow,' Terry said.[LNB]'We all realise the importance of that. It's important for him to go out there and play his football, which he loves doing. He'll always be fully focused on the pitch.'[LNB]Police were alerted after the Association of British Bookmarkers raised concerns about a number of irregular bets, ranging from ?200 to ?500, on Jennings being red-carded.[LNB]Some of the activity is understood to have taken place via a new account opened in Liverpool - Rooney's home town.[LNB]One bet of ?500, placed at odds of 10/1, netted ?5,000.[LNB]Jennings had already been booked by referee Stevie O'Reilly when he was shown a straight red card seven minutes from time.[LNB]The 26-year-old reportedly asked the referee when he was going to 'stop cheating' Motherwell.[LNB]Speaking in the wake of the incident,Jennings said: 'I want to make it clear I had no involvement whatsoeverin any betting scam. [LNB]'I want to clear my name as quickly as possible.'[LNB]It is understood Jennings became friends with the Rooney family after striking up a friendship with Richie's son, Thomas, 26.[LNB]By last night all nine men had been released on bail.[LNB] You can bet on Wayne: Rooney won't be fazed by dad's arrest, says CapelloThe England manager's nationality is an irrelevance, what we need is... Mr MotivatorSpecial report: The fear of match-fixing sends a chill through the beautiful gameStop cheating! Carragher says give the England job to an English coach [LNB]
