Wayne Rooney apologized to his family and supporters of Derby County on Wednesday. The club’s trainer was photographed in a tipsy state with some scantily clad women on Saturday night. The photos show that Rooney, married to his childhood sweetheart Coleen since 2008, is intimate with a woman in a nightclub, while later in the evening he ended up in a hotel room with two women.
“I made a mistake,” Rooney admits on Wednesday evening after Derby County’s surprising practice win over Real Betis (1-0). “I went to a private party with two friends. I want to apologize to my family and the club for the pictures going around. I want to move on. I am grateful to Derby County for the opportunity to bring the club back to its level where the club belongs. I will do everything I can to make that happen.”
English media previously reported that Rooney, at his own discretion, has been ‘frauded’ and that his lawyers have turned themselves in to the police. Greater Manchester Police are investigating the photos as they may indicate criminal behavior, but not of Rooney. The former top attacker responds affirmatively to the question whether he feels like the victim. “Yeah, but I don’t really want to go into that right now.”
Wayne Rooney loves a bird from barrow ?? pic.twitter.com/UUkzlqJkgI
— Bibby (@Brad_Bibby99) July 25, 2021
Earlier on Wednesday, a Rooney spokesperson said the three women who took the photos have approached Rooney’s lawyers to apologize. They have sold the copyright to the photos taken for a symbolic amount of one pound. “They have written a handwritten letter of apology on their own initiative for what happened and the shame that came with it,” the spokesperson said.
“These were three nice young girls going out for an evening. They didn’t expect to run into Wayne and are sorry for the way everything turned out,” Rooney’s spokesperson continued. “They let themselves go and did something that they later regretted. They didn’t expect the media attention, but then took steps to make it right.”
Rooney appeared to have fallen asleep on a chair while the women took pictures with him. One of the photos appeared to have been taken during the day, as daylight comes in through the curtains. Another photo showed Rooney holding a wine glass with a bloodied hand. A video also circulated in which a woman apparently blows a strong wind in front of him.