Share

Rooney escapes punishment

London - Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney will face no disciplinary action over an alleged elbow on Wigan midfielder James McCarthy, British television channel Sky News reported on Monday.

VIDEO: Wayne Rooney elbow to James McCarthy

The England international appeared to elbow McCarthy in the back of the head during the first half of United's 4-0 victory at Wigan on Saturday.

Referee Mark Clattenburg awarded a free-kick at the time and subsequently told the Football Association that he felt he had made the correct decision, which left the FA unable to launch retrospective disciplinary action.

Wigan coach Roberto Martinez had criticised the failure to punish Rooney on Saturday.

"I felt Wayne Rooney was very fortunate. It was clearly a red card," Martinez said. "I saw the incident clearly and the referee did as well because he gave the free-kick.

"Once you give a free-kick it is quite clear that it is a red card. When you look at the replay, it is quite clear he catches James McCarthy in the face with his elbow."

However, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson felt Clattenburg was right not to penalise Rooney and said he feared a witch-hunt in the British media.

"I have had a chance to see it. There is nothing in it," Ferguson said. "Mark Clattenburg saw it. I think he said it was an accident.

"But, what will happen, the question has been asked and because it is Wayne Rooney, the press will raise a campaign to get him hung by Tuesday or electrocuted or something like that.

"It is unbelievable. Watch the press. It will be interesting to see it."

Had Rooney been charged with violent conduct, he would have faced a three-match ban, ruling him out of United's upcoming fixtures with Chelsea, Liverpool and either Arsenal or Leyton Orient in the FA Cup.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
33% - 1816 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1774 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1082 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 459 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 186 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
5% - 252 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE