Wayne Rooney Scandal Hangs Over England Soccer Team

The Wayne Rooney scandal has begun to take over England. Wayne Rooney scandal news broke yesterday, although the timing of the scandal could not have been worse. The English soccer star is trying to help the nation get through qualifying for the European 2012 championship. After England fell short in the World Cup, they need to get back on track soon for the next major competition. However, the Wayne Rooney scandal has become the big story, as British tabloids have once again accused him of sleeping around with prostitutes.

Just a few days before England's big qualifying match with Switzerland, the News of the World and Sunday Mirror made damming allegations against one of their big stars. According to these publications, Rooney paid to have sex with a prostitute while his wife, Coleen, was pregnant with their son.

This new Wayne Rooney scandal comes years after he was caught with another prostitute, "Auld Slapper," grandmother Patricia Tierney, in 2004. In this case, he is accused of sleeping with a 21-year-old prostitute, Jennifer Thompson, who came forward to both the News of the World and Sunday Mirror.

Thompson claimed that she had sex with Rooney seven times in four months last year, with one of those times including a threesome. However, she claimed that the sex was "boring" -- although this new Wayne Rooney scandal is hardly boring to the British papers.

Their coverage of the story is overshadowing England's big game against Switzerland, and causing questions as to whether Rooney will play. He has traveled with the team to Switzerland, yet the scandal may distract him from playing at his best. Since he took part in all four goals during Friday's win over Bulgaria, his distractions could cost the team severely.

English soccer is getting to be well-versed in sex scandals, after one ended John Terry's captaincy months ago -- in his case, with the wife of a teammate. Since Rooney has already been through the ringer of the tabloids, he is experienced in surviving ordeals like this.

Despite the 2004 Wayne Rooney scandal, his marriage to Coleen managed to survive. This time may be more difficult, as Coleen has reportedly left her home/mansion for the moment. Since they are a very powerful couple, and have built a brand of family values, a separation could be extremely costly.

English football fans may be less reluctant to abandon Rooney than his sponsors, especially since the Terry scandal hardly helped with the World Cup. They now hope that the new Wayne Rooney scandal doesn't ruin their European championship hopes as well, with Switzerland looking to take advantage tomorrow.

Sources

News of the World- "Cheating Wayne Rooney beds hooker"

Daily Mail- "Wayne Rooney, call girl Jennifer Thompson and a text confession"

England Web Fans- "Rooney could pull out of Switzerland game as NOTW and Sunday Mirror try to ruin England's qualification chances"