Everton cut ties with sponsor after ball boy's Rooney row

Everton have cut ties with a sponsor following an on-pitch row with Wayne Rooney prior to last weekend’s FA Cup tie with Manchester United.

Two members of the match-ball sponsors’ party for the fifth-round tie were seen, and highlighted on TV, to exchange words with United striker Rooney as he left the field following the pre-match warm up.

Rooney, making his first return to Goodison Park since leaving Everton last summer, was seen to turn back and exchange words with the pair and United’s goalkeeping coach Tony Coton also argued with them.

Everton held an in-depth investigation following the incident and have reviewed video evidence and spoken to witnesses.

Everton sources claim Rooney told officials he had been called a “traitor”.