How Rooney, England International, Was Arrested For Drunkenness

^{BY JIMOH BOLAJI}

^{Wayne Rooney’s arrest came when he was left “disorientated” by prescribed sleeping tablets he took on a flight while drinking alcohol, his spokesman has claimed.}

^{It emerged on Sunday that the former England and Manchester United captain was arrested in Virginia last month by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police (MWAA) for public intoxication.}

^{Rooney’s mugshot provided by the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office from his arrest in December}

^{Rooney’s mugshot provided by the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office from his arrest in December}

^{The 33-year-old, who plays for DC United in the States, paid a small fine and was released shortly after the incident.}

^{A spokesperson for Rooney, who is England’s record goalscorer, 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.}

^{The 33-year-old now plays for DC United in MLS}

^{“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.}

^{“No further comment will be made.”}

^{Rooney, who is still banned from driving in the UK after he was caught drink-driving, set off the alarm but did not breach airport security, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police said.}

^{“Mr Rooney was charged with public intoxication and transported to Loudoun County Detention Centre to be held until sober,” a statement added.}

^{Court files state he paid a fine of 25 US dollars (£19.65) and costs of 91 dollars (£71.50) over his latest offence.}

^{Two days before the arrest he posted an image online of himself in a car at the Riyadh Formula E championship race in Saudi Arabia.}

^{Rooney, in September 2017, admitted drink-driving on a night out when he was caught driving a woman’s Volkswagen Beetle when nearly three times the legal limit.}

^{He was banned from driving for two years and ordered to carry out unpaid work in the community.}