Wayne Rooney is not letting his time in the MLS run out quietly. He launched a rant at the fourth official as he was substituted during D...
Wayne Rooney is not letting his time in the MLS run out quietly. He launched a rant at the fourth official as he was substituted during DC United's 1-0 loss to Vancouver Whitecaps over the weekend.
The former Manchester United and England striker could be seen getting into the official's face before repeating 'every f***ing game' as he left the pitch.
Rooney is set to join Derby County as a player-coach in January after agreeing an 18 month deal worth £100,000-a-week earlier this month.
You think Wayne Rooney is sick of #MLS officiating? "Every f**king game. Every f**king game." #DCU #MLS pic.twitter.com/BRnXOnLpFs— Pablo Maurer (@MLSist) August 18, 2019
It was unclear which decisions in particular Rooney was referring to, but after watching his team-mates play out the rest of the match, he then continued his frustrations on Twitter.
'Gutted about result last night. We deserved more. Looking forward to a 12 hour travel day which could be done in six but hey this is MLS. We will get ready for Red Bulls Wednesday. #Charterflights'
While most top-flight footballers are used to charter flights and private jets, MLS stars must often fly commercially.
According to league rules, teams can only charter flights four times a season, usually resulting in just two games.
The players have to travel huge distances, especially Canadian team Vancouver. The longest trip in the MLS is San Jose to Boston, at 2,684 miles.
Many players have voiced their opinions on the matter, with Rooney the most recent to do so after what ended up being a frustrating day for the Englishman.
Rooney's departure for Derby in January comes as he cuts short his time in America, leaving just halfway through a three-year contract.
Insiders revealed that his wife Coleen, 33, is said to have engineered his move to a player-coach role back in England and is happy for 'return' so long as they are home with their sons Kai, nine, Klay, six, Kit, three, and 17-month-old Cass.
The family has spent the past 13 months in Washington where Wayne signed a three-year contract with DC United. His basic salary in the States is £2.8m per year - with commercial revenue raising his total income to £8m per year.
The former England captain will earn £100,000 per week at Derby - a basic salary of £5.2m per year.
Despite the loss, DC United are fourth in the Eastern Conference, and will face fifth-placed New York Red Bulls next.
DC United, who will be on the search for a Rooney replacement for the start of next year, recently held talks with Mesut Ozil's agent.