Rooney clashes with ref, blasts MLS travel plans
ESPN FC’s Ale Moreno says that Wayne Rooney’s decision to return to England with Derby County is a major blow for both D.C. United and MLS. (1:31)
Wayne Rooney was involved in a furious altercation with the fourth official during D.C. United’s 1-0 defeat to Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday, before criticizing Major League Soccer’s travel arrangements on Twitter after the match.
The former Manchester United forward, who is leaving D.C. at the end of season to become a player-coach at Derby County, clashed with fourth official Pierre-Luc Lauziere as he was replaced by Ola Kamara on 74 minutes.
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Rooney, 33, appeared to swear at Lauziere as he left the field. And following the defeat, Rooney criticized the travel arrangements made by MLS with a post on Twitter.
“Gutted about result last night,” he wrote. “We deserved more.
“Looking forward to a 12 hour travel day which could be done in 6 but hey this is mls. We will get ready for red bulls Wednesday.”
A D.C. United spokesperson said the club would not comment about possible internal punishment for Rooney.
D.C. are in a difficult run of form, with just two wins from their previous nine matches, which included four defeats, and sit in fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings.
A defeat to New York Red Bulls in their next match on Wednesday could see them drop out of the playoff spots.
In 2011, Rooney was handed a two-match domestic ban in England for swearing down a camera whilst celebrating a goal for United against West Ham and in a similar incident was filmed criticizing England fans for not getting behind the team during a 0-0 draw with Algeria during that previous summer’s World Cup.
He is the latest high-profile player to criticize MLS, following Zlatan Ibrahimovic‘s recent outbursts.
The ex-Sweden international was dismissive of the league’s playoff system, which followed a claim he was being “hunted.”
Ibrahimovic linked up well with new LA Galaxy signing Cristian Pavon during the 2-0 win over FC Dallas and later said the Argentina international is “too good for MLS.”