Rooney under investigation by FA over swearing

Rooney under investigation by FA over swearing

Published Apr. 3, 2011 1:30 p.m. ET

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney will discover on Monday if he is to be punished for swearing at a television camera while celebrating his third goal in a 4-2 win over West Ham.

The England international apologized immediately after Saturday's match for shouting an expletive directly at the camera after scoring a penalty that put United 3-2 ahead at Upton Park, having been 2-0 down.

However, English Football Association director Trevor Brooking said Sunday that Rooney's actions are being investigated.

''Tomorrow there will be a decision,'' Brooking said. ''It was a surprise, after scoring a hat trick, to react that way. It is something we will have to look at.''

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An on-air apology by host broadcaster Sky Sports on Saturday was quickly followed by one from United, on behalf of Rooney.

''I want to apologize for any offense that may have been caused by my goal celebration, especially any parents or children that were watching,'' Rooney said. ''Emotions were running high and, on reflection, my heat-of-the-moment reaction was inappropriate. It was not aimed at anyone in particular.''

Rooney's hat trick put him on 10 goals in the league, in what has been a poor season by the striker's high standards because of personal problems and a loss of form in the first half of the campaign.

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