Geezer Wed 06 Apr 2011, 10:09 am
Wayne Rooney will reportedly blame perceived abuse from West Ham supporters and an allegedly intrusive cameraman when he seeks to escape a two-match suspension at a FA hearing later today.
The Manchester United striker has pleaded guilty to a charge of using 'offensive, insulting and/or abusive language' after swearing into a television camera following the completion of his hat-trick in the league leaders' 4-2 win at West Ham on Saturday.
However, having argued that the two-match suspension triggered by the charge would be 'clearly excessive', the Daily Telegraph reports that 'Rooney's appeal will be supported by United's claim that his outburst was a mixture of elation and the release of frustration and anger at what he, and United, believe to have been repeated chants of an unsavoury nature directed at the 25 year-old from the home supporters'.
Meanwhile, The Daily Mirror reckons that 'Rooney hopes to get his swearing ban cut to one game today and leave the cameraman in the firing line. The close proximity of the Sky camera to Rooney after he scored is likely to see the TV company warned after their cameramen broke an unwritten rule by going on the pitch to get a close-up of the striker.
'Rooney let fly when the camera homed in on him after his hat-trick goal at West Ham - with pictures showing that some of the close-range 'money shots' were made inside the white line. Rooney reacted to the unwanted attention with his foul-mouthed outburst - and led to his unprecedented rap. Friends say the 'f*** off, what do you want?' yell was aimed at the cameras as they closed in on him.'
If true, any such defence would leave Rooney vulnerable to an increased suspension if the FA panel rule against him.
Not only would it diminish the mitigation that Rooney swiftly issued an apology on Saturday evening but it would also run counter to the player's declaration that his "heat of the moment reaction was not aimed at anyone in particular".
And now he blames WH fans for winding him up , what à finguck wanker