Wayne Rooney's father arrested in betting probe

[dave nz]

LONDON — Wayne Rooney's father has vowed to clear his name after being arrested on suspicion of being involved in a football betting scam.

Rooney's solicitor said his client "vigorously" denies the charges and is "co-operating fully" with the police investigation.

Wayne Rooney Snr, 48, was bailed late Thursday pending further inquiries after being detained earlier when police swooped at his home in West Derby, Liverpool.

Anthony Barnfather, partner at Pannone solicitors who are representing Rooney Snr, said in a statement: "Mr Rooney vigorously denies all of these allegations. We are co-operating fully with the investigation. No further comment will be made at this time."

Eight other people, including the Manchester United star's uncle, Richie, 54, and Liverpool-born Motherwell midfielder Steve Jennings, 26, were also arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud.

Richie Rooney was detained at his home in Norris Green, Liverpool, while Jennings was arrested at his Glasgow home and brought to a Merseyside police station for questioning.

The other suspects are a 22-year-old from Kirkdale, a 26-year-old from Croxteth, a 29-year-old from Bootle, a 31-year-old from Litherland, a 68-year-old from Fazakerley, and a 36-year-old from Kirkby.

All nine have been bailed pending further inquiries until January next year.

Merseyside Police said the arrests were the culmination of a joint operation with the Gambling Commission into "suspicious betting activity".

The investigation relates to a match between Motherwell and Hearts on December 14 last year.

During the game Jennings was shown a red card in the 83rd minute of his side's 2-1 defeat.

The midfielder had been booked earlier in the match for fouling Kevin Kyle as Hearts launched a dangerous break.

The Gambling Commission, an independent body which was formed under the 2005 Gambling Act, began the probe shortly afterwards when some members of the Association of British Bookmakers publicly raised concerns about betting patterns on the game.

Jennings, originally from Kirkby, near Liverpool, has been a key player for Motherwell since joining from Tranmere in the summer of 2009 and signed his third one-year contract at Fir Park in July. The club are currently second in the Scottish Premier League.

England manager Fabio Capello brushed off concerns about Wayne Rooney's state of mind ahead of the national team's Euro 2012 qualifier in Montenegro.

"I spoke to him just five minutes ago," Capello told a press conference. "I found him relaxed and calm. There is no problem for the game, he will play tomorrow against Montenegro. He told me there are no problems."

England captain John Terry -- who has also had members of his family placed under media scrutiny in the past -- meanwhile backed Rooney to put the allegations out of his mind.

"Wayne is focused on the game tomorrow," Terry said. "We all realise the importance of that. It's important for him to go out there and play his football, which he loves doing. He'll always be fully focused on the pitch.

"When you're on the pitch and the training pitch you can switch off from anything in life. Tomorrow's game is the most important thing, we all appreciate that."

England need only a point against Montenegro to clinch first place in Group G and assure themselves of qualification for next year's finals in Poland and Ukraine.