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LONDON: England’s Football Association (FA) on Monday charged Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney and could face a two-match ban following his foul-mouthed outburst into a television camera during Saturday’s 4-2 win over West Ham at Upton Park.
An FA statement read: “The FA has charged Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney for the use of offensive, insulting and/or abusive language.
“This charge relates to an incident during his side’s fixture with West Ham United at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday April 2, 2011.
“Rooney has until 6pm (1700 GMT) on April 5 to respond to the charge.”
As Rooney celebrated with United team-mates after completing his hat-trick from the penalty spot – United having been 2-0 down earlier – the England star was caught uttering a series of audible expletives towards the camera.
Rooney’s swearing was beamed around the world by Sky Sports with the game televised in more than 200 countries and the incident prompted an on-air apology from the broadcasters.
While the England player said the emotion of giving his side the lead after they trailed 2-0 at half-time had prompted his outburst, England’s FA took a different view.
Widespread press reports Sunday had quoted an FA spokesperson as saying:
“We will look at it. We obviously don’t condone foul and abusive language.”
FA director Sir Trevor Brooking had also said the governing body would have to investigate Rooney’s behaviour at Upton Park.
Rooney apologised for his outburst in a statement released by United on Saturday evening.
He said: “I want to apologise for any offence that may have been caused by my goal celebration, especially any parents or children that were watching. Emotions were running high and on reflection my heat-of-the-moment reaction was inappropriate. It was not aimed at anyone in particular.”
It is not the first time Rooney has been in trouble for ranting into television cameras.
He also upset England fans during last year’s World Cup when he turned to a camera and verbally attacked them for jeering at the end of a 0-0 draw with Algeria in the group stages.
