Rooney in FA threat
20 Aug 2006 - 12:29:41
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has threatened to refuse to participate in any commercial activities on behalf of the Football Association after being handed a three-match ban for his dismissal in a pre-season friendly.
United officials claim to have been told that Rooney would not be punished for the harsh red card he was shown during the victory against Porto in the recent Amsterdam tournament, but an FA disciplinary commission chose to uphold the referee's decision.
The England international is furious about the suspension and his agent, Paul Stretford, has written to the FA to protest about his treatment.
In the letter, Stretford states that Rooney "feels extremely let down by the FA on this matter".
The agent added: "While he will continue if selected to play for his country with 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."
United chief executive David Gill has also written to the FA to request that Rooney's ban, and that handed to Paul Scholes for his sending off in the same match, be overturned, as other players dismissed in pre-season friendlies escaped without punishment.