Wayne Rooney was Arrested in Minor Issue at Dulles Airport in December
ABC 7 Sports Reporter Erin Hawksworth reported that D.C. United forward Wayne Rooney was arrested by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police (MWAA) for a misdemeanor of public swearing and intoxication at Dulles Airport back on December 16.
Rooney was booked at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center and released shortly after on a personal recongnizance bond.
D.C. United issued the following statement:
“We are aware of the news reports indicating that Wayne Rooney was arrested in December. We understand the media’s intrerest in this matter but believe this is a private matter for Wayne that D.C. United will handle internally. We have no further comment on the situation.”
Wayne Rooney’s spokesperson also released a statement:
“Due to increased press speculation we wish to make it clear that Wayne Rooney was arrested and detained following a very long flight from Saudi Arabia after a one day promotional business trip. On the flight Wayne had taken a prescribed amount of sleeping tablets mixed with some alcohol consumption. On arrival at Dulles he was disoriented and was approached by the police who arrested him on a minor misdemeanor charge. The matter is now at an end and Wayne would like to put on record his appreciation for the manner he was treated by all involved. No further comment will be made.”
It’s unclear whether or not Rooney will face further discipline by MLS or D.C. United.
According to a person familiar with the situation, Rooney consumed a prescribed amount of sleeping tables mixed with alcohol. He was approached by police shortly after arrival from a trip back from Saudi Arabia and was arrested on a minor misdemeanor charge.
Rooney was transferred to the Loudoun County facility and picked up by a team staff member a few hours later. Rooney joined his wife and four sons shortly after for a trip to their native country of England for the holidays.
This isn’t Rooney’s first brush with the law. Back in England, the former Manchester United star was given a two-year driving ban in England in September 2017 after pleading guilty to being almost three times over the alcohol limit and was additionally ordered 120 hours of community service. He apologized and called it a “terrible mistake.”
Rooney was an integral part of the opening of brand new soccer stadium Audi Field in the Navy Yard neighborhood of D.C. and help lead the hometown soccer club to the MLS Playoffs after being in last place in the Eastern Conference in mid-July. Rooney scored 12 goals and seven assists, leading the club on a ladder climb up the standings thanks to a 10-game unbeaten streak. D.C. United as a result drew immense popularity as fans packed Audi Field and turned it into a soccer fortress.
Rooney, along with Stanley Cup champion Alex Ovechkin of the Capitals, is one of the biggest faces of Washington D.C. sports since his arrival from England and will be back with the club for the next two seasons with an option in 2021.
D.C. United will begin training camp in two weeks and will open the season at Audi Field on March 3 against the defending MLS Cup champions Atlanta United FC.
Photo: Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office
