WAYNE ROONEY will join up with the England squad today having been warned by the Football Association in England as to his future conduct after being caught mouthing “12 men” into a television camera after Manchester United’s 1-0 defeat to Chelsea on Sunday.

The United striker and his team-mates were furious that the hosts’ winning goal had been allowed to stand, with Alex Ferguson questioning the validity of the award of Frank Lampard’s decisive free-kick and pointing to an apparent foul by Didier Drogba on Wes Brown in the goalmouth as the ball came in. Rooney’s protest prompted a booking, with his fury evident as he departed the pitch.

The incident prompted comparisons with Drogba’s reaction to elimination from last season’s Champions League by Barcelona though, where the Ivorian had sworn into a camera with Uefa considering his manic behaviour to have been threatening to the Norwegian official, Rooney’s was one of muttered disgust. His comment, with its perceived criticism of the referee, Martin Atkinson, was broadcast live, prompting the FA to warn a player who has been booked only three times this season.

Ferguson will not face sanction despite claiming Atkinson’s positioning at the only goal as “absolutely ridiculous”.

“It was a bad one. That goal should not have been allowed. You lose faith in the refereeing sometimes,” said the United manager, who is already on an improper conduct charge after insisting Alan Wiley was “unfit” after a 2-2 draw with Sunderland. As Ferguson did not question the referee’s integrity or imply any bias, no action will be taken. Yet the sense of grievance at a potentially damaging defeat lingers with United, who now trail Chelsea by five points.

Guardian Service