Wayne Rooney was arrested for 'public intoxication' by US airport police after 'becoming disorientated when he took sleeping pills with alcohol' during a flight
- Wayne Rooney has been arrested for public intoxication and swearing charges
- Rooney lives in the US and plays for Major League Soccer Club D.C. United
- He was arrested in Loudoun County, Virginia on December 16, 2018
- He paid a $25 fine on Jan 4, which would only take him 4min 43sec to earn
- He claims he was arrested after taking sleeping pills with alcohol on the flight
- The former England captain claims the pills and alcohol made him disorientated
Wayne Rooney was arrested and fine for public intoxication and swearing charges in Washington D.C.
The former Manchester United footballer who currently lives in the US was arrested on December 16, 2018 in Loudoun County, Virginia, home to Washington Dulles airport.
A spokesman for Rooney said his public intoxication arrest came after he was left 'disorientated' by prescribed sleeping tablets which he took on a flight while drinking.
In US law public swearing and intoxication is a regarded as a 'class 4 misdemeanor' - a minor crime.
Wayne Rooney has been arrested for public intoxication and swearing charges in Washington D.C . Pictured, Rooney's mugshot
Rooney, pictured with his wife Coleen and children, was arrested on December 16, 2018 in Loudoun County, Virginia, home to Washington Dulles airport
Rooney was bailed without a fee and paid a $25 fine (£19.65) on Jan. 4.
Rooney currently plays for DC United in Washington DC and based on his salary at the club it would only take him 4min 43sec to earn his fine.
Rooney, who was also ordered to pay costs of $91 (£71.50).
He was arrested by the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority, although it is unclear if he was held at the airport, which is near the club's stadium or elsewhere in the vicinity.
A spokesman for Loudoun County Sheriff's Office said: 'He was booked into the Loudoun County Adult Detention Centre on December 16 2018, on a charge of public intoxication stemming from an arrest by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police.
'He was later released on a personal recognisance bond.'
Share this article
He signed a three and half year deal with D.C United in June 2018. His arrest came hours after his former club Manchester United had lost 3-1 to Liverpool in a crunch Premier League tie.
Coleen headed to her hometown of Liverpool for Christmas and New Year after spending six months in the USA.
Rooney was bailed without a fee and paid a $25 fine (£19.65) on Jan. 4, which would only take him 4min 43sec to earn. He was also ordered to pay costs of $91 (£71.50). Rooney is pictured leaving Stockport Magistrates Court after facing a drink-driving charge on September 18, 2017
Rooney is currently 13 months into a drink-driving ban and has completed 100 hours of community service which was part of his punishment.
Rooney posted a photo of himself at an event in Saudi Arabia in the days prior to the arrest.
Rooney, the former England and Manchester United captain, was arrested in September 2017 for driving under the influence in Wilmslow, Cheshire,
He pleaded guilty and received a two-year driving ban and paid a £170 fine.
Rooney also agreed to undergo a drink-driving rehabilitation that could reduce his driving ban.
Wayne Rooney of DC United during the MLS match between DC United and Colorado Rapids at Audi Field on July 28
Rooney last played for DC United on November 2, when his side were knocked out of the MLS Cup.
The former Manchester United and Everton striker missed a penalty during the 3-2 defeat following extra time.
After a return to Everton, Rooney made the switch to DC United - making his debut on July 14 last year.
Rooney, England's former captain and all-time top scorer, joined the Major League Soccer in a deal that was reportedly worth more than $12 million - making him the highest paid player in DC United's history.
He was the latest addition to an elite list of former England captains to hop across the Atlantic, following David Beckham and Steven Gerrard.
Rooney joined Manchester United for $35 million in 2004 and stayed there for 13 seasons - winning five English titles, one Champions League, one FA Cup, three League Cups and becoming the club's all-time leading scorer with 253 goals.
Court documents say Rooney was charged under the Virginian law of 'public swearing/intoxication'.
Two days before the arrest Rooney posted an image online of himself in a car at the Riyadh Formula E championship race in Saudi Arabia.
Rooney and his family flew back from the US last month to spend Christmas with the family.
The 2019 MLS season is due to start in March.
A spokesman fro DC United said: 'We are aware of the news reports indicating that Wayne Rooney was arrested in December. We understand the media's interest in this matter but we believe this is a private matter for Wayne that D.C. United will handle internally. We have no further comment on this situation.
MailOnline has approached Wayne Rooney for comment.
