Wayne Rooney has been charged by the FA after being sent-off during Plymouth‘s win over Blackburn at the weekend.
Rooney was left fuming when he saw Blackburn level the game in in the 86th minute – adamant that goal shouldn’t have stood after a possible foul in the build-up. He made his feelings clear to fourth official Jacob Miles and was then sent-off by referee James Linington.
The Pilgrims manager has been accused of violent conduct and using abusive language towards an official in a statement released by English football’s governing body.
It read: “Wayne Rooney has been charged following Plymouth Argyle’s match against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, 5 October, in the EFL Championship. The manager’s conduct around the 87th minute was allegedly improper and/or he used abusive and/or insulting words towards a match official, which led to his dismissal.
“It’s further alleged that his conduct after being dismissed was improper and/or violent. It’s also alleged that by returning to the field of play after being dismissed his behaviour was improper. Wayne Rooney has until Tuesday, 15 October, to respond.”
Rooney had to watch the dying stages of the game from the stands at Home Park as Plymouth netted a 97th minute winner. Morgan Whittaker struck to grab all three points for the hosts and moved them up to 14th in the table after a third win in five games.
The ex-England international returned to the pitch to celebrate with his players following the dramatic triumph, despite being sent-off only minutes earlier. Rooney though conceded afterwards that the first red card as a manager was deserved.
He said: “It’s my first time as manager receiving a red. Decisions happen on the pitch and I think looking back it’s a free-kick so the goal shouldn’t have stood. In the Championship you don’t have VAR. The officials missed it and your emotion kicks in. I’m a passionate person, we want to win.
We worked extremely hard to win the game and to have that taken away by a mistake by the officials I felt was really harsh. I reacted in a manner which I probably shouldn’t have and the red card was deserved from that point of view, but beyond that the fans were fantastic. It galvanised the stadium, the players and we kept pushing trying to get the winning goal.”
