It was about eight months ago that a former colleague first told me about allegations of Wayne Rooney’s trysts with a call girl in a top Manchester hotel. Back then it was merely a rumour and one the newspapers were scrambling around to get stood up. I knew Rooney had form – who could forget the infamous ‘Auld Slapper’ headlines? But I couldn’t believe even Wayne Rooney would be stupid enough to shack up with a prostitute in broad daylight, in the city in which he plies his trade.
Well, according to the News of the World, and a spoiler story in the Sunday Mirror, that is exactly what father-of-one Rooney was up to. He’s on the front and back pages of most of Monday’s newspapers as the scandal roles over into day two. The tabloids smell blood and this one will run and run.
But can he survive these latest allegations – interestingly they are allegations that Rooney’s PR team has made no attempt to deny whatsoever. The silence from his media minder Ian Monk has been deafening.
So what of Brand Rooney? Well it would appear that his lucrative deals with Nike, Coca-Cola and computer games manufacturer EA Sports look likely to stay in place – for now.
A statement from Nike said: "This is a private matter for Wayne and his family and we have no further comment to make at this time. We have worked with Wayne for seven years and he continues to be a Nike athlete."
A statement from Coca-Cola said: "This is a private matter for Wayne Rooney and his family."
A statement from EA Sports said: "This is a personal matter and we respect Wayne and his family's privacy. We have worked together for six years and Wayne continues to represent EA Sports."
While PR ‘guru’ Max Clifford had this to say: "The only thing Wayne Rooney has to worry about is his wife, whether she, like all the others, is prepared to accept her husband's alleged infidelities. Nobody in football gives a monkey's as long as he's winning on the pitch. Will it stop people buying Coca Cola? No. Will it stop parents buying Nike for their children? No.”
It’s clear from his sponsors’ statements that they are happy to separate the sportsman from the man. As Nike say, “he continues to be a Nike athlete”. Yes indeed, an ambassador for the sports brand that may well have taken their famous slogan – just do it – a tad too seriously!
And of course it remains to be seen if others come crawling out of the woodwork. Can this really have been a one-off for Wayne? The newspapers have got their teeth into this story and they aren’t about to let go anytime soon, this could merely be the start of a series of sordid tales.
But for now Brand Rooney appears to be safe, however what happens over the course of the next week or so will really determine his future. So it’s all eyes on the press and only one man, Wayne Rooney, knows just how bad it can really get….
Incidentally, it is worth knowing that Wayne Rooney is a renowned litigator – just last week he won substantial damages against The Sun over claims he hit wife Coleen in a Cheshire night spot. So newspaper lawyers are always extremely wary of news stories – no matter how contentious - involving the England and Manchester United star. This means that before going to print the evidence must be water-tight, as will have been the case in Sunday’s story in the News of the World.
Also last week we saw a very personal statement from William Hague in answer to rumours of his relationship with a junior male aide. Many felt Hague was wrong to speak out so vehemently but he seized the initiative and got a very sympathetic press. So can we expect the same from Wayne?
I wouldn’t hold your breath – I reckon he’ll simply let his football do the talking.
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