England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson is still set to talk to Wayne Rooney over newspaper allegations that the striker has racked up gambling debts – despite a series of denials from the Rooney camp over recent days.
The claims about the 20-year-old were made by The Sunday Mirror. But the Football Association stressed it was “unaware of any problems in the England team dressing room.”
And the FA’s Adrian Bevington said to the Sun:
“We believe Sven-Goran Eriksson will speak to the players allegedly involved to clarify the facts.“
According to the newspaper, Rooney, who earns an estimated �50,000 a week on the pitch and millions more a year from sponsorship deals, is one of a number of England players said to be involved in betting on sports other than their own. Everyone connected to the FA and the England team is determined to do all they can to achieve success in Germany this summer. England are due to begin their World Cup campaign in Germany in less than two months’ time.
FA director of communications Bevington said: “Under Sven the England team have enjoyed a fantastic spirit within the camp, a fact that is regularly made by the players publicly. This spirit has ensured qualification to three consecutive tournaments. It’s important the fans know everyone connected to the FA and the England team is determined to do all they can to achieve success in Germany this summer. We should also state there is little the FA can do to prevent any individuals gambling privately on horse or greyhound racing though there are rules preventing betting on any football matches or competitions they are involved in.”
In recent days both representatives of the Ferguson and Rooney camp at Man Utd. have vociferously denied these claims. Fegie said to the press:
“It is just nonsense but these things will happen to the boy throughout his life,” said Ferguson. We have had this with George Best, we had it with Paul Gascoigne and we had it with David Beckham. We know Wayne Rooney. It is rubbish and we shall dismiss it the best we can.”
To catch the latest news on Man Utd., visit the hottest soccer fan site on the net right now, with its dedicated RSS feed.