Wayne Rooney breaks cover after ‘drunk in public’ arrest as witness reveals he told airport security to ‘f*** off’
The ex-England star was held by cops last month after a booze and sleeping pill mix on a flight left him 'disorientated'
WAYNE Rooney broke cover today for the first time after his public drunkenness shame was exposed – as witnesses reveal he told airport security to “f**k off”.
The ex-England star, who is currently on a three-year deal at DC United in the States, was held in Virginia last month after a booze and sleeping pill mix left him “disoriented”.
Rooney, who had triggered a security door alarm at Dulles International Airport, is said to have launched into a foul-mouthed tirade at staff.
One eyewitness, who saw the incident unfold at the airport at around 9am, told The Sun: “He caused quite a scene.
“It seemed like he had come off his plane and gone through the gate marked ‘International Arrivals’, then wanted to go back for some reason.
“Obviously only security and airport staff are allowed.
“He was cursing – saying f*** off. He was not very happy at all. It was crazy.
“The whole incident lasted at least 30 minutes. A few people recognised him – they couldn’t believe it was Wayne Rooney.
“He is quite a regular face here as he flies in and out all the time.”
Rooney was pictured today for the first time since his arrest was revealed wearing a baseball cap and padded gillet in Washington DC, where he currently lives with wife Coleen and their four sons.
When asked by reporters how he’s doing, the 33-year-old replied: “I am good, thank you.”
Coleen was also seen in public today as details of her husband’s latest drinking scandal were revealed.
The wag picked up a Nandos and checked her phone in the American capital as his lucrative deals and, potentially, his marriage hang in the balance.
Rooney’s spokesman confirmed last night he was “disorientated” after taking prescribed sleeping tablets and drinking on a flight on December 16.
According to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, Rooney triggered a door alarm before being arrested over “public swearing and intoxication”.
He was reportedly handcuffed by an armed police officer nearby and taken to a cell at the Loudoun County Detention Center for four hours to sober up.
The £300,000-a-week star had been in Saudi Arabia on December 15 for the Riyadh Formula E Grand Prix when he down cocktails on the private jet back to the States.
Rooney, who raked in £20million last year, paid a $25 fine on January 4 – which would take him just one minute to earn.
Under Virginian law, “profane swearing and intoxication in public” is seen as a class four misdemeanour – punishable by a fine of up to £196.
But the boozy episode could now cost him a lot more in lucrative deals, experts say.
US brand executive Thomas Rogers told the : “Nowhere in the world is a clean-cut image more important to a sports star than in America.
“The merest hint that a brand could be brought into disrepute is enough to see multi-million-dollar deals ended.
“Rooney will have to expiate himself if big names are to want to put their brands and their buck behind him.”
The former Manchester United and Everton star’s boot sponsorship deal with Nike is reportedly worth £1million a year.
In August, Rooney signed a multi-million pound marketing deal in the US, making him one of the MLS’s highest earners.
The family promotions contract was with marketing giant Octagon.
Friends reportedly fear Rooney’s latest indiscretion could also put a strain on his marriage.
A source told the Mirror: “Whenever Coleen is not around it seems Wayne tends to go off the rails.
“She had hoped moving to America would see a fresh start for the family putting behind Wayne’s previous problems.
“Coleen loves the lifestyle in the States. She can go about her business without anyone knowing who she is. But this latest arrest just pours more shame on them.”
England’s all-time leading scorer quit Everton to head to DC United in June last year.
In a statement, his spokesman said: “Wayne Rooney was arrested and detained at Dulles airport following a long flight from Saudi Arabia after a one-day promotional business trip.
“During the flight Wayne took a prescribed amount of sleeping tablets mixed with some alcohol consumption and consequently was disorientated on arrival.
“He was approached by police who arrested him on a minor misdemeanour charge.
“He received a statutory automatic fine and was released shortly afterwards at the airport.
“The matter is now at an end.
“Wayne would like to put on record his appreciation for the manner he was treated by all involved.”
DC United also released a statement last night saying they were aware of reports surrounding the player’s arrest.
Rooney said he let his family down after admitting being three times the limit when arrested.
He had 104 micrograms of alcohol in his breath, the legal limit in the UK is 35 micrograms.
He was banned from driving for two years and ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.
After his arrest in the early hours of September 1, 2017, the striker was released on bail charged with “driving while over the prescribed limit”.
It later emerged Rooney was docked two weeks of wages – about £300,000 – while with childhood club Everton.
He also paid a £170 fine and agreed to undergo a drink-driving rehabilitation that could reduce his driving ban.
Rooney’s wife Coleen was pregnant with the couple’s fourth child at the time and had made the announcement days before his arrest.
Former England captain Rooney is the all-time highest scorer with 53 goals for his country, and rejoined boyhood club Everton in 2017.
Rooney recently made an appearance as a pundit on BT Sport on December 22 for their coverage of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first game in charge of former club Manchester United.
It isn’t the first time Rooney’s drinking has landed himself in hot water – in 2015, The Sun revealed how he had been knocked out in a kitchen boxing bout.
The star, who played for Utd at the time, was stuck by pal Phil Bardsley of Stoke City as friends filmed the wild lads’ night in.
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