Butcher hits out at Rooney immaturity

Former England international Terry Butcher believes Wayne Rooney should expect to face a lengthy ban after being sent off in England’s 2-2 draw with Montenegro.

While England secured their place in Euro 2012 with the draw, the game was marred by Rooney’s petulant kick at Miodrag Dzudovic which earned him an automatic one match ban that rules him out of the start of England’s tournament next year, while UEFA may decide to extend the ban at a hearing on Thursday to anything up to three games.

“If he gets one game he’s the luckiest man in the world,” said Butcher.

“He’s got no defence and he just has to hope Uefa are lenient. He has had red cards before and Uefa may see it as a chance to make their mark.

“I would expect at least a two-game ban. He’s got previous form and Uefa will look at this and I think they will say you just can’t do it.”

The Manchester United forward is hopeful of getting a reduced ban after he wrote a letter to UEFA along with Fabio Capello in an attempt to limit the ban to just one game, while referee Wolfgang Stark’s omission that the strikers lack of dissent after being shown the red card may also help his cause.

However Butcher believes that that will offer little help in swaying UEFA’s decision when the meet to decide Rooney’s punishment.

“The referee said he did not contest the red card and that might count in his favour.” The former England defender commented.

“But it is surely not the reaction he gave to the decision but the action that Uefa will judge. It was idiotic and quite aggressive towards his opponent.”

“For me it showed a complete lack of respect for his team-mates and England. Capello must be so frustrated. How could he have seen that sort of behaviour coming? You couldn’t condone what Rooney did at seven or eight-year-old level.” He added.

Rooney has previous form in being sent off for his country after he was given his marching orders against Portugal during the 2006 World Cup, while injuries and lack of form further limited his impact during Euro 2004 and the 2010 World Cup, however Butcher believes that his absence through suspension for Euro 2012 could be a huge blow for Fabio Capello.

“If Rooney is out of England’s team it is a massive blow,” said Butcher.

“And it puts lots of pressure on the other players because England look nowhere near a top team without him.

“He is critical to England’s plans. He is the Lionel Messi of England’s team. England are so reliant on one man. No-one else fills the role he does and does it with such quality.

“Rooney will regret what he did for a long time and England will hope they are not left to regret it at Euro 2012. It is not only marvellous deeds that make a player’s reputation, it is mistakes like this that blight a career.”

It has since been announced that Rooney will miss all of England’s group games at Euro 2012, so if he does still travel, a visit to pokerstars.co.uk might well be on the cards to pass some time!

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2. Official: Capello is the new England manager.
3. Photo: England’s New Kit for EURO 2012 Qualifier
4. End of Story: Rooney stays at Manchester United (thus will not die)
5. Rooney casts shadow over United win