Wayne Rooney branded his treatment ‘a disgrace’ and launched a furious attack on his critics following Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal.
The Manchester United striker was vilified, and forced to apologise, after being pictured apparently worse for wear at the England team hotel in the early hours of Sunday while on international duty.
‘What’s been going on is disgraceful,’ the England captain declared after Jose Mourinho’s side suffered late heartbreak at Old Trafford.
‘I’m proud to play for my country and I’m proud of my achievements. It’s not finished yet. I think what’s been going on is disgraceful.’
Rooney has come in for fierce stick after a picture of him in an England training top with wine-stained lips and bleary eyes after he joined a wedding party at The Grove Hotel in Hertfordshire.
He has kept his counsel, but after Olivier Giroud’s dramatic late header had snatched a point for Arsenal in a match United had deservedly looked set to win following a Juan Mata strike, the 31-year-old, who came on as a second-half substitute, went on the offensive.
‘It shows a lack of respect,’ Rooney added, ‘I think enough is enough.’
England’s record scorer also accused sections of the press of trying to prematurely bring down the curtain on his England career.
‘It feels as if the media are trying to write my obituary and I won’t let that happen,’ he said.
‘I love playing for my country and I am proud of my achievements to date – but I have not finished yet.
‘That’s all I want to say.’
Rooney joined the wedding party after being given the night off by England boss Gareth Southgate following the 3-0 victory over Scotland.
The 31-year-old missed Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with Spain after injuring his knee when he tripped over an energy botte drink coming out of the shower after the Scotland game.
Rooney is currently on 119 caps for his country, six behind Peter Shilton, whose record he is desperate to break.
HOW THE ROONEY DRINKING SAGA UNFOLDED
Friday, Nov 11: Rooney plays 90 minutes as England beat Scotland 3-0 in a World Cup qualifier at Wembley. In the showers afterwards, Rooney slips on a drinks bottle and hurts his knee.
Nov 12: The England squad are allowed the evening off by interim manager Gareth Southgate and the FA. Rooney stays up drinking until 5am and gatecrashes a wedding.
Nov 14: Rooney is released from the England squad for treatment.
Nov 15: Details of Rooney’s Saturday night begin to emerge in the press. Pictures of him looking worse for wear are published.
Nov 16: Rooney apologises ‘unreservedly’ to Southgate, the FA and the England fans for the ‘inappropriate’ images. FA begin to discuss changes to the England players’ code of conduct.
Nov 17: FA chief Martin Glenn says Rooney’s behaviour has been ‘disappointing’ and ‘doesn’t set a great tone’, although he has notable defenders, including Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
Nov 18: Others have their say – Man United manager Jose Mourinho says the FA should have looked after Rooney more, Man City boss Pep Guardiola says he should have been more responsible.
Nov 19: After the 1-1 draw between United and Arsenal, Rooney calls the coverage of the incident ‘disgraceful’ and says he is not finished yet.
