Rooney: 'Total respect' for England fans despite fight

A spokesman for Wayne Rooney insists he has “total respect” for England fans despite confirmation last night that he had been involved in an altercation with a fan as Steve McClaren’s team left Zagreb following the 2-0 defeat to Croatia.

Rooney was among a group of players heading to the team bus when he was singled out for a barrage of personal abuse from a supporter frustrated at the performance of Steve McClaren’s men.

While most of the fans who had stayed behind kept their complaints within reasonable boundaries given the nature of England’s defeat, the individual concerned maintained his offensive.

Already frustrated by England’s biggest defeat for 13 years, Rooney, who has been named on a 30-man shortlist for the FIFA World Player of the Year award, is alleged to have responded.

Sources close to the player have moved quickly to try to defuse any tension between the Manchester United striker and the vast majority of supporters.

A spokesman for Rooney said: “Any gesture Wayne may have made was directed to one, and only one, particular England fan, whose behaviour towards him appalled the other England players who saw it and horrified the rest of the England fans.

“Wayne has total respect for England fans. He accepts and understands their disappointment at Wednesday night’s result.”

It is not the first time Rooney has found trouble in recent times.

Last month, he gave Blackburn’s Michael Gray a black eye following a dispute in a Manchester restaurant, although again it appeared Rooney was not the instigator.

However, the latest news is unlikely to help ease the pressure on the 20-year-old, who is enduring the first dip in form of his stellar career.

Rooney has now gone more than two years since his last competitive goal for England. Things have been little better at Old Trafford recently, where he has not scored since the opening day of the Premiership season and his form has been eclipsed by that of fellow FIFA award nominee Cristiano Ronaldo.