Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is facing a two-match ban after being charged by England’s Football Association on Monday for swearing into a television camera while celebrating a goal during a Premier League match.
The England international shouted an expletive directly into the camera after converting a penalty to complete his hat trick in United’s 4-2 win over West Ham on Saturday.
‘The FA has today charged Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney for the use of offensive, insulting and/or abusive language,’ the governing body said in a statement.
The 25-year-old Rooney has until Tuesday to respond to the charge. If he accepts it, he will receive an automatic two-match ban.
If he challenges either the charge or the severity of the sanction, the case will be heard by a commission on Wednesday and the punishment could be increased.
The striker apologised for the incident immediately after the match, saying that his reactions were ‘inappropriate.’ The host broadcaster, Sky Sports, also issued an on-air apology to its viewers.
Rooney, last season’s player of the year in England, has endured a difficult campaign because of a combination of personal problems, injuries and a loss of form. But he has produced some improved displays in recent weeks, scoring nine goals in all competitions since the start of February.
I know Wayne is passionate and he’s going to be pumped up, but he should really start to act more professionally. After all, he is a “professional” footballer…and gets paid shit-loads to be professional.
Saturday’s hat-trick was his first since January 2010.
by Buford Balony
