Rooney threatens legal action over Andy Carroll's drinking claim in new book

Wayne Rooney is threatening legal action against Andy Carroll after the former England team-mate alleged in his new autobiography that the pair drank together in Rooney’s bedroom during international camps, including at Euro 2012 in Ukraine and Poland.

Rooney’s legal team has sent a strongly worded letter to publisher Pan MacMillan demanding a retraction from Carroll’s book, Owning It, according to reports from the Sun. A source close to Rooney said: “Wayne is livid. He’s not messing around. His legal team have sent a strongly worded letter to the publisher. He wants it retracted as it is completely untrue. Wayne knows he’s no angel, but this crossed the line. It’s a matter of principle.”

Carroll, who played for Liverpool and West Ham during his career, claimed in the book that he and Rooney regularly drank together during England camps. The allegation has reportedly caught Carroll off guard in terms of the response it has provoked. A separate source told the Sun: “Andy is spiralling over the whole situation. He didn’t think for a second Rooney would kick off like this. Andy had a book to sell and now he’s in over his head. There may be a public apology coming unless he wants a legal battle on his hands.”

The timing is particularly sensitive for Rooney, who has spoken openly in recent months about giving up alcohol and turning his life around. In a candid interview with the Guardian, he acknowledged that drink had been a damaging coping mechanism during his playing days. “I’d hold it all in and go home and drink,” he said. “And, at that time, if I was drinking, I’d end up making stupid decisions. And that could have cost me my family.”

England’s second-highest scorer with 53 goals in 120 international caps, Rooney has moved into punditry following four managerial spells at Derby County, DC United, Birmingham City, and Plymouth Argyle. He is a regular presence on Match of the Day and fronted a podcast-style show for the BBC during the World Cup.

Mirror Sport has reached out to Pan MacMillan and Rooney’s representatives for comment.