Wayne Rooney quizzed by police after night with Coleen ends in spitting row

11 April 2012
The Weekender

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Newly married Wayne Rooney has been questioned by police after allegations that he spat at a photographer

Wayne Rooney is facing a possible assault charge after he was accused of spitting at a photographer.

The Manchester United player has been questioned by police after he allegedly lost his patience following hounding by a paparazzi during a night out with new wife Coleen.

The 22-year-old had been filming in London and went for a meal at trendy Chinese restaurant Hakkasan in Soho on Tuesday night.

During the night he claims he was constantly followed by the unnamed photographer.

At one point in the evening he says he was even followed into the restaurant before the man was removed by staff.

He is believed to have then spat at the photographer as he left at around 10.30pm.

The alleged victim did not call the police but a complaint was made by a third party.

By law, deliberately spitting at someone is an offence of common assault.

And the £80,000-a-week star has now been questioned by police over the alleged incident. He did not attend a police station but met officers at a neutral venue with his lawyers the following morning.


He claims he is completely 'blameless'.

Rooney and his wife are now back in Manchester where the player has been training ahead of the start of the new season in two weeks' time.

Rooney, pictured, with wife Coleen on honeymoon has denied the spitting allegation

Rooney, pictured, with wife Coleen on honeymoon has denied the spitting allegation

Rooney's spokesman Anthony Burr said: 'Wayne was interviewed by police in connection with an alleged minor offence involving a paparazzi photographer who had been persistently invading his and Coleen’s privacy throughout the evening.

'This included the photographer following the couple into a restaurant from which he had to be evicted.

'Wayne was happy to co-operate fully and to give a clear version of the events in which he believes he was blameless.'

Police are now continuing the investigation.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: 'We can confirm police received a third party allegation that a photographer had been spat at by an individual.

'The incident is being treated as common assault by Camden CID.

'The alleged suspect, a 22-year-old male, was spoken to by police. He was not arrested and did not attend a police station. Enquiries continue and a file will eventually be passed to the Crown Prosecution Service for consideration.'

The England striker recently returned from his honeymoon in Las Vegas following his marriage to 22-year-old Coleen McLoughlin.

On pitch the striker is known to have an extremely volatile temper and has caused problems both for his manager Sir Alex Ferguson and former England coach Sven Goran Eriksson in the past.

He was famously sent off in an England game against Portugal in 2006 for stamping on an opposition player.

He was also singled out by football officials after being caught on camera mouthing a string of obscenities at a referee during a Premier League game.

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