Euro reprieve for ‘stupid’ star Rooney

WAYNE ROONEY will have to control his suspect temperament in the coming months after he was cleared to play in England’s final group match of Euro 2012 following a UEFA appeals panel’s decision to reduce his ban to two games.

Rooney was initially banned for three matches after his red card against Montenegro in October but UEFA have announced the ban for the third match will be suspended for four years — and will only kick in if he is sent off in another competitive European international.

For this reason England boss Fabio Capello will be ensuring Rooney stays out of trouble before the championships, while still giving his star man game time. The Manchester United striker has also agreed to spend a day supporting a UEFA community project.

Rooney and England manager Fabio Capello attended the hearing at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland yesterday morning — and that may have swung the appeal.

Rooney himself had admitted it was “stupid” to have kicked Miodrag Dzudovic, and the Montenegro defender sent a statement on the Manchester United striker’s behalf.

Rooney is now free to make his return to face Euro 2012 co-host Ukraine on June 19 in Donetsk in the final Group D clash.