The FA will write to Rooney, warning him as to his future conduct, following his foul-mouthed tirade after clinching his hat-trick in Manchester United’s 4-2 win at West Ham.
Having examined footage of the incident, in which Rooney twice swore into the lens of a TV camera as he was mobbed by his team-mates, the FA are understood to have decided a formal warning will suffice.
Rooney’s apology, issued by United within a couple of hours of the final whistle at Upton Park, is said to have counted in the striker’s favour as he awaits his fate.
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Although there has been uproar over the incident, the FA are mindful of singling out Rooney and setting a dangerous precedent which would see them duty-bound to punish any player caught swearing.
The FA will remind Rooney of his responsibility to behave in accordance with existing disciplinary guidelines, while a repeat of Saturday’s controversy is likely to see the England striker face action.
In the context of the FA’s ongoing Respect campaign and the Premier League’s clampdown on abuse towards referees and officials, United feared Rooney could be made a scapegoat.
But the 25-year-old’s public show of contrition looks to have got him off the hook. Rooney said: “I want to apologise for any offence that may have been caused by my goal celebration, especially to any parents or children that were watching.
“Emotions were running high and on reflection my heat of the moment reaction was inappropriate, it was not aimed at anyone in particular.”
Rooney has previous with TV cameras, having looked directly down a camera lens and questioned the loyalty of England fans who booed following the 0-0 draw with Algeria at last summer’s World Cup.
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Wanye Rooney Set To Escape FA Ban For Foul-Mouthed Outburst