Rooney cleared over spitting claim

Everton striker Wayne Rooney will not be charged after a woman claimed he spat in her face, it emerged today.

The 23-year-old woman claimed the England player spat at her during a night out at Manchester club Ampersand last month.

Rooney, 18, was interviewed by Greater Manchester Police and a file was passed to the Crown Prosecution Service to consider if there was sufficient evidence to charge him with common assault.

A CPS spokeswoman said today: "After careful consideration, prosecutors decided there was insufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction."

Rooney denied spitting at the woman and his agent Paul Stretford said the complaint was "fatuous and entirely false".

Rooney was enjoying a night out with friends following the Manchester United v Everton match on February 7 when the woman said the incident took place.