Soccer star Wayne Rooney charged with public intoxication after mixing pills and booze on international flight
Wayne Rooney, the popular British footballer and star of the Major League Soccer club D.C. United, was arrested and charged with public intoxication back on December 16. The 33-year-old soccer forward was taken into custody by Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police (MWAA) at Washington Dulles International Airport and booked into the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center in Leesburg, Virginia, according to a January 6 report from CNN.
The arrest came after the former England and Manchester United captain was returning from a one-day trip to Saudi Arabia, according to the BBC. A spokesperson for Rooney said that the soccer star’s arrest for public intoxication was a result of feeling “disorientated” after taking sleeping tablets during the flight and mixing those pills with alcohol. He was formally charged with “public swearing/intoxication,” which is a misdemeanor in Virginia.
On January 4 he paid a $25 fine and $91 costs and was released on his own recognizance shortly following his arrest.
In a statement, his spokesman said: “During the flight Wayne took a prescribed amount of sleeping tablets mixed with some alcohol consumption and consequently was disorientated on arrival.
“He was approached by police who arrested him on a minor misdemeanour charge.
“He received a statutory automatic fine and was released shortly afterwards at the airport. The matter is now at an end.
“Wayne would like to put on record his appreciation for the manner he was treated by all involved.” Per The BBC
This is not Rooney’s first alcohol related offense. In 2017 he pleaded guilty to a DUI and lost his driving privileges for two years.
Rooney currently leads his MLS D.C. United team with 12 goals, holds the record for the most goals for England’s international team and for Premier League club Manchester United, and has played in three World Cups representing England.
~ Written by: Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Connect with Richard on Facebook and Twitter
