WAYNE Rooney was hailed as the best young player in the world last night.
Even for a kid who has scaled the equivalent of Mount Everest while still a teenager, last night should have represented one of the great highlights of Wayne Rooney's amazing football career.
There he was in his best bib and tucker at a swanky hotel in London to receive his award as the World Young Player of the Year.
And yet as Rooney stepped into the spotlight to receive a trophy that every young footballer on the planet would kill for, all he succeeded in proving is that he still hasn't learned when to open his mouth and when to keep it shut.
For when Rooney was given the ideal opportunity last night to explain to journalists the reasons behind his dismissal in United's Champions League match against Villareal last week, his lips remained tightly closed.
Warned
All the sporting hacks who were present at last night's FIFPro World Player Award ceremony in West London were warned in advance that no questions would be permitted relating to Rooney's red-card in Villareal.
And the professional football industry in this country wonders why more and more supporters are becoming increasingly disenchanted with their sport.
You got one of the answers in Rooney's vow of silence last night. English football now seems to believe it is answerable only to itself. What the players do on the pitch and how they behave is obviously nothing to do with the poor saps who fork out their hard-earned cash every week to help over-paid players enjoy a life-style which the rest of us can't even begin to imagine.
Orders
Rooney, I assume, was acting under orders last night in refusing to discuss his dismissal against Villareal. Funny, that. He doesn't normally obey orders does he? And he should have reverted to character because whoever gave him those instructions was not acting in the lad's best interests.
Here was a golden chance for Rooney to explain why that red mist sometimes descends in the heat of battle. To put his side of the argument.
Perhaps to point out that it's his passion for the game rather than an uncontrollable temper which sometimes lands him in hot water.
It wouldn't have been a plea for sympathy because sympathy is the last thing he needs. But it was an opportunity to tell his detractors and his fans alike what makes him tick. What makes him the player he is. What brings on those occasional and explosive rushes of blood.
But the opportunity was ignored at that award ceremony last night.
Rooney, or his advisers, felt he had no obligation to offer even a word of explanation for his dismissal against Villareal.
The paying customers, in no small measure, have helped Rooney to become the super-star he is today. But like so many of the pampered Premiership millionaires, he has become so divorced from reality that he sees no need to account for his actions.
Should footballers be more open to question? have your say below or cast a vote in our poll.
Comments
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Does Rooney have a hood attached to his suit jacket?
I think Paul Hince should realise that the days of the "Press" being able to control everything have gone. Why should a 19 year old man have to speak with journalists who will only twist what he says and get him in to more trouble. Paul, you and your occupational colleagues do not own these people. Their club and their fans have more right to that claim and I know there will be few United fans who will be dissapointed that you didn;t manage to get yoru headline quote last night.
Should he not wish to discuss his life with "journalists" thats his choice, he doesnt need to explain his actions to you, only to his manager and team mates.
unfortunatly due to dresscodes he could not wear his "hoodie" and instead opted to wear a bit of class
So now Hince is complaining that Wayne has acted professionally not rising to his bait? No you couldn't praise him so you spend 500 words mithering on about how he didn't give you more easy copy?
why should he have? the kids 19 and shouldnt have to discuss his problems in public or on tv.
Rooney did not have to speak out about his red card he went to pick up an award. Not to be interraged by hacks like you after a story to show him in a negative light.
Rooney has lost his temper a few times and got sent off for his stupidity. Is it a big deal really? No, he is the same a many other footballers but they get a tiny bit of media coverage because they play for a smaller team.
I think Rooney is a perfect role model compared to some others who claim to be professional footballers!
I'm a City fan and even I don't agree with a word you've said. This is the highlight of Rooney's career so far, acknowledged by the best players in the world as thze best youngster about in world football today. Why should he not enjoy it?? Why should he let it be ruined by mindless papparazzi pestering him?? It's not the time or the place. Rooney will be the first admit he's made mistakes but he's 19 for Pete's sake!!! Give him a break and let him learn by his mistakes!!!
After the typical over the top criticism and sniping from the press for the past fortnight I don't blame him for not talking to them.
Well done Wayne
"when Rooney was given the ideal opportunity last night to explain to journalists the reasons behind his dismissal in United's Champions League match against Villareal last week, his lips remained tightly closed"
not the time or the place you idiot !!!
With respect Mr Hince looks 'experienced' enough to make his own contribution to your publication without resorting to the tactics of a 'parasitic hack' sponging off of the name 'Wayne Rooney'.
But, when considering who in their right mind would expect even a seasoned pro to raise the subject of a sending off at an awards ceremony, it may just be that Mr Hince has not made the best use of his evidently laborious career.
Rooney's tantrums and outbursts stem from the MUFC syndrome of DIVINE RIGHTEOUSNESS,if Lee Bowyer had done what Rooney had done the media would have crucified him and not condoned it with excuses of frustration etc,Rooney has to learn to be a true sportsman not a thug like Roy Keane!!!!!!
Would you ever go and write about something more worthy than a kid who gets sent off in a football match for heaven's sake. I can't believe the bullsh*t that's coming from grown men regarding Rooney. Let the kid grow up! If that is all you can write about the best young player in the world right now, then you are a sad person in deed. Did you really expect him to talk about getting sent off and to explain why he did it? Jesus, he got sent off because he was pumped full of passion and adrenlin. Get off the kids back and Write about the war in Irag or the people who are starving around the world. Not some kid who happens to be really talented and who also happens to get a lot of grown men jealous. And you wonder whats wrong with football? THE LIKES OF YOU!
No wonder Paul Hince wears that pained expression,he must suffer from some chronic bouts of indigestion judging by the amount of bile that he regurgetated into his anti Rooney article. It is more than telling that he mentions in two paragraphs, early in the article, how Rooney had the chance to explain his conduct to journalists but then goes on to criticize his reticence on the subject as basically being a slap in the face for, "The poor saps who fork out their hard earned cash every week."
Let's be clear about this. The real reason Mr Hince was so aggrieved was because he failed to get the article he wanted and felt snubbed. We are all jelous of modern day footballers life-styles but I for one am not bitter. I see no reason why Rooney would want to talk about an incident that happened not, let me remind you in Sundays abrasive clash with Liverpool in which he behaved, but in a previous match that has already had more column inches written about it than it deserves. So I am sorry Mr Hince if the football world does not run to your agenda or pamper to your whims because most United fans will tell you that they are only interested in how Rooney plays on the pitch. That is what is relevent, so forget the sideshow, take a couple of alchaseltzer and report on the football.
No wonder Paul Hince wears that pained expression,he must suffer from some chronic bouts of indigestion judging by the amount of bile that he regurgetated into his anti Rooney article. It is more than telling that he mentions in two paragraphs, early in the article, how Rooney had the chance to explain his conduct to journalists but then goes on to criticize his reticence on the subject as basically being a slap in the face for, "The poor saps who fork out their hard earned cash every week."
Let's be clear about this. The real reason Mr Hince was so aggrieved was because he failed to get the article he wanted and felt snubbed. We are all jelous of modern day footballers life-styles but I for one am not bitter. I see no reason why Rooney would want to talk about an incident that happened not, let me remind you in Sundays abrasive clash with Liverpool in which he behaved, but in a previous match that has already had more column inches written about it than it deserves. So I am sorry Mr Hince if the football world does not run to your agenda or pamper to your whims because most United fans will tell you that they are only interested in how Rooney plays on the pitch. That is what is relevent, so forget the sideshow, take a couple of alchaseltzer and report on the football.
Even by Paul Hince's standards this is pathetic, insulting nonsense. Who is he to patronise Rooney, someone who has risen to the giddy heights of sports writer on a local newspaper. Mr. Hince, if you could write as well as Rooney plays football you'd be winning the Booker prize. You don't have to like Rooney but at least have some respect for genuine talent, and some perspective about where you and the other trivia-obsessed "gentlemen of the press" fit, in the greater scheme of things.
I always read what Paul Hince has to say because it usually is fair and accurate regardless of player or team.
I have to say this time I think he is talking complete utter rubbish. I hope he has now got it off his chest and will get back to being objective.
Your columns just get worse, you should explain why you are such a generally boring column writer. You should learn when to put pen to paper and when not!
This is one of the most assinine pieces of football journalism I have ever read. Was Paul Hince there or, like Hunter S Thompson reporting on a SuperBowl, was he sitting in a hotel room on drugs bereft of anything better to say? As somebody else has said in response to this.....why should Rooney have had to field questions about this incident?.......especially those from desperate clamouring gutter snipes who love to dish the dirt at the merest hint of an ambiquous comment
I look forward to reading Paul Hince's comments, they are usually amusing and very interesting but on this occasion I feel that Mr Hince has made a mistake.
Everyone is entitled to their opinions but in Mr Hince's case on this occasion has merely resulted in an uninteresting column.
What Rooney did does not need explaining, what is to explain, he did what he did through frustration coupled with immaturity, the frustration will not change but the immaturity will. He is doing no more or no less than hundreds of great players (and not so great) before have done (including I might add such great players as Messrs Lee, Summerbee & Marsh to name but three), let's not make a big issue of it, the subject has been discussed many times before.
Come on Mr Hince, let's get back to your interesting articles.
Best regards
Glyn Williams