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Wayne Rooney makes “malicious” admission after horrific red card for DC United in MLS tie
WAYNE ROONEY insisted that he had no complaints after receiving his first red card for DC United against LAFC on Saturday night, after a horrific tackle on Diego Rossi.
England’s all-time record goalscorer was made to wait before being given his marching orders, as VAR was consulted.
Originally, the striker was given a yellow, with fans booing the decision before a replay was shown on the screens inside Audi Field.
With DC 3-0 down at the time, thanks to a Rossi double and a Carlos Vela goal, Rooney jumped at Rossi with his studs up.
In a poor attempt to play the ball, Rooney swiped at the legs of the Argentine, and the LAFC forward was lucky to not be badly injured.
After the game, Rooney was apologetic for the tackle, and insisted there was no malicious intent.
“I have no arguments,” Rooney said.
“It wasn’t malicious and I didn’t try to hurt him.
“But obviously I caught him.
“I was expecting [a red card] really when the referee gave me the yellow.
“It’s the right call.”
United will be back in action on Tuesday as they host Montreal Impact.
And Rooney instructed his team-mates to bounce back quickly.
DC can go back to the top of the Eastern Conference with a win.
“I think the best thing for a team when you lose like today is to play again quickly,” Rooney continued.
“We’ve got the opportunity to play again on Tuesday at home.
“That’s a great opportunity for us to try and put this game behind us, get a good result against Montreal and put this game to bed.”