Former England captain Wayne Rooney has rejected claims made by his former international teammate Andy Carroll in his new autobiography, describing the allegations as a “fabrication.”
Carroll, in his newly released autobiography Owning It, claimed that Rooney hosted informal gatherings for England players in his hotel room during international duty around 2010 and 2011.
According to Carroll’s account, the gatherings involved alcohol and cigarettes, with several players reportedly joining Rooney in his room as a way of relaxing during England training camps.
Carroll described Rooney as one of the “good guys” and said the gatherings were not wild parties, but rather informal occasions where players had a few drinks to break the monotony of being away on international duty.
However, Rooney has strongly denied the account.
The former Manchester United and England star said he normally does not respond to what he considers false claims about him, but decided to address Carroll’s version of events.
Rooney said he and Carroll “never really socialised” and described the story about drinking on England duty as a fabrication.
He added that he was disappointed by the claims and questioned where Carroll’s account had come from.
Carroll, however, has reportedly stood by his version of events. A friend of the former striker said Carroll was surprised by Rooney’s denial and maintained that the incident happened as he remembered it.
The friend also said Carroll’s autobiography went through the usual editorial and legal checks before publication.
Rooney and Carroll were both members of the England national team during their playing careers, although Rooney has maintained that the two did not regularly socialise.
With both former teammates standing by their respective accounts, the disagreement could develop into a public war of words between the two former England internationals.
