Rooney backed by PFA after red card at school

GORDON TAYLOR has voiced his disapproval of the decision to drop Wayne Rooney as a star guest at a prominent schools match.

The English Schools Football Association (ESFA) say the 19-year-old England and Manchester United is not a “good role model”.

Taylor, chief executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association, believes there is much to admire in what Rooney does on and off the pitch.

“If you are talking about role models, he has been a role model for achievement and what he has done at a very young age,” Taylor said.

“You would hope he would be encouraged by the English Schools FA, rather than this action being taken. That’s their choice but one that I do not approve of.

“I am sure those young lads would love the chance to train with Wayne Rooney.”

Rooney, the PFA’s Young Player of the Year, was booked to appear as a guest of honour at an U-13 Coca-Cola Cup semi-final at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium next Monday.

But football chiefs made other plans after the recent row over Rooney’s tirade of expletives during a crucial Premiership clash and various allegations over his private life.

Last month, Rooney’s lawyers issued legal proceedings after a newspaper story claimed he slapped his girlfriend Coleen McLoughlin in a nightclub. Rooney denies the allegation.

On the pitch, Rooney was caught on camera in February shouting the F-word at referee Graham Poll 20 times during Manchester United’s game against Arsenal at Highbury.

Taylor said: “He is a winner and at times things may well boil over. That happens to all people.

“You have to remember he is only a young man. He cannot be expected to have an old head on young shoulders all the time.”

ESFA chief executive John Read said: “We just feel there are better role models at the moment for schools football.

“The first thing is Wayne wasn’t a schools player, he is from the new set-up of academies and hasn’t actually played for his school.

“Secondly, we see a lot of bad behaviour these days on the field and we just feel it’s not a good example for all those young schoolchildren out there.”

Of Rooney’s bad language at Highbury, Read added: “That has been seen by millions of children on the TV and there is no excuse for that.

“(The decision to drop Rooney) was made by us and supported by Coca-Cola.

“We agree that he is a fantastic player and if any club at all can help him with his behaviour on the field it’s Manchester United.”