Rooney breaks silence on THAT red card
Published 00:01 04/11/11 By David McDonnell
Wayne Rooney has spoken for the first time about his three-match Euro 2012 ban and admitted: “It’s my own fault.”
Rooney said he had no-one to blame but himself for the “stupid” red card against Montenegro which has, as matters stand, ruled him out of all England’s group games in next summer’s tournament.
The Manchester United striker, who is hoping to get the ban reduced on appeal, accepts full responsibility for his costly moment of madness.
“Obviously, it’s devastating for me but it’s something that’s my own fault, so I can’t really complain,” said Rooney.
“It was stupid by me - I regretted it as soon as I did it. It’s no excuse, but I still feel the punishment is a bit harsh. I’m disappointed with it.
“All the details we have been waiting on have come through, so we’ll be making a decision as to whether we will be appealing.
“Even if it’s reduced by one game, it will be a bonus for me.”
Rooney confessed he had no idea why he kicked out at Montenegro’s Miodrag Dzudovic, earning a straight red in England’s 2-2 draw last month, which overshadowed their qualification for the finals.
“I honestly don’t know why,” he said. “It was just one of those moments which I live to regret now.
“There was no tackle beforehand, and I didn’t think, ‘I’m going to beat him.’ It just happened.
“I can’t explain it.”
The FA will decide by 5pm on Friday whether to formally appeal Rooney’s ban.
Wembley chiefs received UEFA’s official reasoning earlier this week and, with no risk of the ban being extended under UEFA’s own rules, it is expected a bid to reduce the striker’s suspension will get the go-ahead.
