Wayne Rooney spokesman alleges sleeping pills led to arrest

Wayne Rooney’s spokesman has said that the former Manchester United and England striker became “disorientated” after taking prescribed sleeping tablets and drinking alcohol while on a flight.

The DC United striker was arrested on December 16th following a ‘public intoxication incident’ at Dulles Airport.

Rooney’s representative said in a statement:

“Wayne Rooney was arrested and detained at Dulles airport following a long flight from Saudi Arabia after a one-day promotional business trip.

“During the flight Wayne took a prescribed amount of sleeping tablets mixed with some alcohol consumption and consequently was disorientated on arrival,” the statement read.

“Wayne would like to put on record his appreciation for the manner he was treated by all involved. No further comment will be made.”

The 33-year-old was fined $25 and was ordered to pay a further $91 costs for the misdemeanor after he was detained by Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority.

A spokesperson for Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office stated:

“He [Rooney] was booked into the Loudoun County Adult Detention Centre on December 16 2018, on a charge of public intoxication stemming from an arrest by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police.

“He was later released on a personal recognisance bond.”

Rooney moved to DC United from Everton in June 2018 and enjoyed a successful first season in which he scored 12 goals in 20 games for the MLS outfit.