Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney recorded a hat trick, scoring three goals in a 14-minute span to help Man U come back from a 2-0 deficit to beat West Ham 4-2. He was understandably pumped up after scoring the third goal and let it be known with some profanity straight in front of the cameras. Here’s the video of Wayne Rooney cussing after his hat trick:
I know the Football Association plans to examine the footage to see if anything needs to be done, but allow me to say the TV cameras were in the wrong, not Rooney. Put yourself in his situation — you’re elated after scoring your third goal and celebrating with your teammates. You’re just not in a sane frame of mind and it’s possible you may be bellowing anything because you’re pumped up. The TV production crews need to understand there’s an inherent risk when you plant cameras and microphones nearby the field of play, and if anyone should make an adjustment it’s them, not him.
But if a penalty is handed down, there actually are grounds for it. There is a provision in the FA’s own rules about behaviour, which states: “A participant shall at all times act in the best interests of the game and shall not act in any manner which is improper or brings the game into disrepute or use any one, or a combination of, violent conduct, serious foul play, threatening, abusive, indecent or insulting words or behaviour.”
I wouldn’t be surprised to see a penalty handed down, likely a fine citing that provision.
